As lobbying continues for veterinary technicians to be called veterinary nurses, NAVTA returns to topics for its members in this edition. We found the reference to Should electronic pet records be accessible online? an interesting read and another issue-rich platform to discuss. Source: NAVTA Animal Health Bi-Weekly, August 15, 2017. … [Read more...]
3 trends that will transform animal health
Animal health is an industry driven by two sectors, pets and livestock, that respond to very different market forces. Trends in these sectors need to be analyzed separately to get a clear view of the investment landscape. It is also important to pay attention to factors such as technology, that affect the industry as a whole. Source: Fortune, July 27, 2017. These four … [Read more...]
Animal Hospice and Palliative Care Certificate Program now available
With all the information published about millennials’ focus on pet life quality, this new certificate program will help participants meet these needs. During this program, participants will: Understand the unique field of animal hospice Learn how palliative care differs from conventional medicine Learn best practices in hospice care Understand what to expect in … [Read more...]
The latest from Dr. Andy Roark (recorded interview)
Hear Dr. Roark talk about social media as a "relationship accelerator" in a recent interview with DVM 360 on Your Veterinary Voice. The interview and other topics are part of his recent newsletter. Source: Dr. Andy Roark, August 2, 2017. Dr. Roark on such topics as social media as a "relationship accelerator," that scary E-word (entrepreneurship) and new graduates coming … [Read more...]
How cats say, “I love you.” (includes client handout)
Cats demonstrate their devotion to their humans in important and obvious ways if you know what to look for. Using the client handout in this article will help cat owners decipher the silent ways cats share affection. Source: Veterinary Medicine, July 25, 2017. Elizabeth Colleran, DVM, DABVP covers three area where cats share affection: Territorial tenderness … [Read more...]
12 reasons pets need heartworm protection
Here is a handy list of reasons to protect dogs, cats and ferrets against heartworm infection. Provided by the American Heartworm Society, it is available in both a slide show and list form. Source: Linked In, July 26, 2017. There’s no such thing as heartworm “season.” Chances are, you don’t live in a heartworm-free zone. Pets with heartworms are found across the United … [Read more...]
Social media snapshot as a stunning infographic
Social media, a name we once gave for a platform such as Facebook, has become difficult to define. Constant iterations expand and grow how social media is used. Those trends include the growth of live streaming, messaging apps and conversational commerce. Source: Mashable, August 2017. It’s meant to remind the viewer that social media is about the people in the center of … [Read more...]
August 15 JAVMA ready for study
From the news section: A fatal neurologic disease is raising the possibility of local extinctions of Western deer and elk herds. In other news, disagreements over information sharing, technology, and privacy have hindered progress on how to track horses on a wide scale, although microchipping advocates say this approach provides an ideal solution. Source: JAVMA, August … [Read more...]
Guidelines for working farm kids updated
The National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety has updated guidelines for children working in agriculture for the first time in 20 years. The guidelines give parents a recommended age range for specific tasks and a set of competencies as well. Source: Pork, August 2, 2017. Children performing jobs not consistent with their abilities is the main … [Read more...]
Temple Grandin, DVM, honored by National Women’s Hall of Fame (includes video)
Her determination and drive to prove she could make it in the meat sciences field has placed her in a group of women that includes Susan B. Anthony, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Rosa Parks. So not only did she make strides in her field as a person with autism, but she also made strides as a woman. Source: The Autism Site, August 2017. This incredible woman, a Professor of Animal … [Read more...]
Opinion – Keep dogs safe on beaches
Good content often falls short of the whole story. In this case, the article presents good considerations for sharing a beach trip with a canine. However, references to ensure the pet is protected from diseases easily shared in a public area are missing. In community parks or dog parks, the risk of leptospirosis can be as significant at beaches. The risks are not just from … [Read more...]
Cattle now and in the future (includes video)
Galen Erickson, University of Nebraska animal scientist, offers insight into the trendiness of cattle feeding that deserves attention from the industry. Source: Progressive Cattleman, July 31, 2017. Video, courtesy of Certified Angus Beef. … [Read more...]
New study reveals insights into pet owners’ buying decisions
A new study of pet owner behavior finds important differences in the ways millennial pet owners make decisions about their pets’ care compared with older pet owners—and how and when both groups decide to involve a veterinarian. Source: DVM 360, July 20, 2017. Veterinarians and pet owners see the world differently. The research highlighted important differences between how … [Read more...]
Photojournalist shares Idaho dairy video
Vibrant images help bring our articles to life in media. They also help animal health pros stay current with modern practices. Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, July 31, 2017. Ryan Ebert fill a week in Idaho visiting dairy farms and photographing everything from cows to people to equipment. INSIGHTS: Distributor inside sales teams will enjoy this look at dairying even if they have … [Read more...]
Stop, look, listen; get a computer crash plan
In one form or another, at least one of our computers is going to completely crash, be lost, stolen or fall victim to virus problems. William Hall reminds us that hard drive failure and ransomware are not the only computer risks. He recommends seven ways to help prevent this. Source: Entrepreneur, July 26, 2017. Here are seven easy to implement tips to prevent a computer … [Read more...]
Opthalmic exams made simple
Did you ever wonder what veterinarians are doing when they look in to a pet’s eyes? Ron Ofri, DVM, offers a logical, anatomical order to the exam and a list of equipment needed. He proposes veterinary teams perform an ophthalmoscopic examination of all patients, not just ophthalmic case to gain the required proficiency and familiarity with normal fundus variations. Source: … [Read more...]
5 most loyal dog breeds
Dogs are generally loyal to mankind, certainly in comparison to other species not developed for human companionship. But some dog breeds were developed with an extra dose of loyalty to their people. Source: Dogster, July 21, 2017. The breeder groups making the most noise about loyalty traits in these breeds: Bouvier des Flandres Bullmastiff Yorkshire Terrier … [Read more...]
Assertive or aggressive; it’s a fine line (includes video)
It is not always easy to identify truly assertive behavior. This is because there's a fine line between assertiveness and aggression. People often confuse the two. Source: Mind Tools, August 1, 2017. Being assertive means finding the right balance between passivity (not assertive enough) and aggression (angry or hostile behavior). It means having a strong sense of yourself … [Read more...]
Veterinary nurse effort finds focus
A representative of the group working to change the title of veterinary technician to veterinary nurse and standardize credentials nationwide said today that they will initially focus on Indiana, Michigan and Ohio where they like their chances of success. Source: DVM 360, July 24, 2017. We have compared the curriculums of veterinary technology programs to human nursing … [Read more...]
Is technology being used counterproductively? (audio program)
In this thought-provoking audio interview, David Allen ( Getting Things Done® ) talks with Dr. Theo Compernolle, a doctor with a 35-year background in medicine, psychiatry, teaching and research. His most recent book is Brain Chains. Source: Getting Things Done®, July 13, 2017. You’ll find this interview to be educational, and perhaps challenging, as you learn that we may … [Read more...]
Office hugs require etiquette
Workplaces are seeing a rise in hugging culture. Hugging is a social minefield, says Kara Deringer. Context is all-important. Source: BBC News, July 20, 2017. Not everyone's so keen on the idea of hugging. Deborah Wallsmith, an assistant professor of anthropology says that the graduations of hug discomfort depend upon nuances, relationships, and personal … [Read more...]
When goals matter
Steve Keating shares solid insight on goal setting for our personal lives. A solid goal-setting process begins by investing serious time considering what is important in your life. That might sound easy but here’s the deal – what is important in your life isn’t what you say it is. It is what you show it is. Source: LeadToday, July 13, 2017. Most people spend on average 40 … [Read more...]
Social media policy guidelines help businesses
People often talk online about how they do business to demonstrate their expertise, often in the spirit of sharing and transparency that customers value. However, if sharing this information isn’t appropriate for your business, a social media policy will help outline what can and cannot be shared. Larry Alton shares three tips for creating a social media policy. Source: … [Read more...]
Human noise pollution is disrupting parks and wild places
Human-caused noise has consequences for wildlife, entire ecosystems and people. It reduces the ability to hear natural sounds, which can mean the difference between life and death for many animals, and degrade the calming effect that we feel when we spend time in wild places. Source: The Conversation, July 17, 2017. Strategies to reduce noise include establishing quiet … [Read more...]
10 myths about farming to remember when you buy groceries
For those of us not actively engaged in farming and ranching, Jenna Gallegos, a plant biologist, offers important clarifications for pervasive myths about agriculture. Source: Washington Post, July 2, 2017 (paywall). Most farms are corporate-owned. This myth is probably the most pervasive on the list. It is also the furthest off-base. Nearly 99 percent of U.S. farms are … [Read more...]
Start a meeting right
Too many meetings drag on without participants discussing the real problems that need to be addressed. People talk around the important issues during the meeting and then address them before or after it. This renders the meeting a waste of time and makes you, the meeting organizer, look bad. Combat this risk by explicitly asking that issues be discussed during the meeting, not … [Read more...]
Journal of Dairy Science, August issue quick view
We’ve linked to the table of contents for this research-rich issue. We always scan for papers that seem to be applicable to the more commercial animal health pros. The interpretive summaries and one paper are linked below: Interpretive summaries Short communication: Behavioral evaluation of the analgesic effect of flunixin meglumine in lame dairy cows Source: Journal … [Read more...]
Rare heartworm surgery saves cat
Vets at UC Davis are claiming a medical first after successfully removing a 13 cm heartworm from a cat’s femoral artery. Source: NAVTA Animal Health Bi-weekly, July 18, 2017. NAVTA’s first post links to the story in Vet Times. … [Read more...]
Livestock protect children from asthma
It is a known fact that microbes on farms protect children from asthma and allergies. But, even non-microbial molecules can have a protective effect. New research from the University of Zurich opens up opportunities for transferring the protective effect of farms to all children. Source: Pork, July 17, 2017. Early childhood contact with animals and the consumption of food … [Read more...]
Opinion – Tufts studies patient-therapy animal risk
This topic has taken a long time to surface. Personally, I’ve often wondered about zoonotic risks from taking therapy animals into hospitals and nursing homes. While human patients receive many benefits from animal visits, the reality is that facilities are not monitoring or managing the risks. Guidelines for safety, health and monitoring do exist, with one set from the AVMA … [Read more...]