Commentary The American Heartworm Society routinely provides images like these on X, Instagram and Facebook. The amount of likes and forwards of the posts does not reflect the number of followers, nor how many animal health pros there are. It’s our job to keep the educational efforts of AHS in front of pet owners. The posts are easy to forward and can be copied for all … [Read more...]
Measure pet food by weight, not volume
An estimated six out of 10 cats in the U.S. are overweight or obese, so how pet food is measured is something to consider. With a little coaching, pet owners can learn to measure based on calorie content instead of using a volume measurement. Research has shown that measuring by cup, or volume, often leads to overfeeding or underfeeding.” Source: Catster, September 27, 2022. … [Read more...]
How to get a dog to listen when it’s distracted
Some dogs become highly distracted as soon as they step into the real world. It is a common problem for dogs of all ages and an important behavior for all dog owners to cultivate. Consider this article when coaching an owner, for social media or newsletters. To get a dog to come when distracted outdoors, it needs to be able to reliably ignore distractions indoors, … [Read more...]
How to help dogs get along
Multiple dogs in a household or daycare often require approaches to minimize exposure to stressors that can result in interdog aggression. Pat Miller, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, shares a lot of information that may be challenging for the typical dog owner to comprehend. The tips and approaches she offers can be used to help pet owners deal with dog-versus-dog interactions in their homes … [Read more...]
Your money personality. Learning yours may help with spending habits
Talking about money benefits all of us. We all have pain points when it comes to our finances and different ways of dealing with them. When you know where you stand with your money, and why you behave in the way you do, it is easier to sort through what you need to do. Source: Refinery 29, February 7, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
When your manager brings in someone above you
When someone else is hired or promoted to a position above you it often stings. In growing companies, being layered is inevitable and is a common practice. Melody Wilding shares how to deal with the reactions that arise and how to productively move forward within those new arrangements. Source: Harvard Business Review, January 22, 2024. Link. Being layered can evoke … [Read more...]
Consistent ordinary produces extraordinary
What a leader does every day may seem ordinary, but ordinary things done consistently are what it takes to be extraordinary. Source: Linkedin, February 5, 2024. Link. You have not had it easy. You have experienced setbacks, barriers, and people who were not on your side. Consistent focused persistence yields results.” – P.T. Malone … [Read more...]
Good thoughts not communicated are meaningless
Acknowledging people’s efforts and encouraging their progress is common sense. Praise helps people feel good about themselves. Those who feel good about themselves produce good results, and people who produce good results feel good about themselves. Praising can be given not only when you catch someone doing something right, but also when you catch someone doing something … [Read more...]
Benefits that can keep older workers on board
A shift is emerging in how companies see and value older workers as labor shortages continue in certain industries and roles. Some companies now recognize that their Baby Boomer population represents a talent pool that should be nurtured. Lin Grensing-Pophal shares perspectives on ways to reinforce and add benefits that appeal to older workers. Employers are recognizing that … [Read more...]
Improve the narrative with diagnostic listening
When you experience a doctor who is skilled at narrative medicine, the differences are like night and day. In a past AHD post, a Tuft’s Catnip article referenced a piece from the Journal of the American Medical Association explaining the importance of engaging clients relationally. Some of the best veterinarians practice narrative medicine instinctively and it feels more like a … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – February 8, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, February 1, 2024. Link. Most read post(s) from the February 1st AHD Bulletin – A plan is not a strategy. Link. Studies: Early social housing helps dairy calves thrive. Link. Using standing equine CT in veterinary diagnostics. Link. Do it NOW! Link. ============================================ … [Read more...]
Groundhog day again?
The iconic movie “Groundhog Day” is amusing, but also mirrors our journey in leadership and personal growth. Source: Linkedin Pulse, January 30, 2024. Link. Each iteration is an opportunity to refine strategies, enhance decision-making, and lead with more empathy and understanding. INSIGHTS: Embrace persistence and resilience. … [Read more...]
8 tips for avoiding conflict in email
Common examples of email or texting bad behavior include belittling others, finger-pointing when things go wrong, stealing credit for ideas and contributions, and disrespectful language and behavior toward colleagues, writes Joseph Romsey. He offers advice to maintain professional, civil communications including keeping your email structure simple, avoid politics and being … [Read more...]
Paragon’s new digital dog grooming guide
"Notes From the Grooming Table," authored and released by Melissa Verplank nearly 20 years ago is now available as a digital book for the low monthly subscription price of $6.99. Source: Pet Business, September 2023. Link. The digital version allows users to highlight and bookmark important information, freehand draw on the pages with a stylus or a finger, search for key … [Read more...]
Cunning chameleon, M. bovis contributes to calf pneumonia
Mycoplasma bovis might seem harmless, but its presence increases a calf's chance of contracting bovine respiratory diseases by 74 percent, writes Geof Smith. Difficult to detect at onset, M. bovis is more common than producers think. It is hard to treat, too. Source: Ag Proud, January 30, 2024. Link. BRD caused by M. bovis is a threat to dairy calves and ultimately a dairy’s … [Read more...]
Dechra launching monthly dentistry education for veterinary teams
With help from Jan Bellows, DVM, DIPL, AVDC, ABVP, Dechra Academy is launching the 12 Months of Dentistry educational series. Each month a new webinar, podcast episode, case study, or interactive educational tool will be made available to build more dentistry confidence. Because dental care goes beyond one month.” Source: Dechra Veterinary Products, February 7, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Purdue hosting 2nd annual conference on antimicrobial resistance
Regarded as a significant public health threat globally, antimicrobial resistance involves multi-drug resistant infections that are predicted to only worsen over time. The Purdue AMR Conference will feature three sessions, each covering an AMR-related area: Determinants, Dynamics, and Deterrence. Source: Purdue University, January 26, 2024. Link. The two-day conference will … [Read more...]
Body condition score in early lactation sets the fertility stage
There is a relationship between body condition and fertility. University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers studying fertility share that when diary cows lose a lot of body condition, they have much lower fertility than their herd mates that maintain or gain weight in early lactation. Source: Dairy Herd Management, January/February 2024. Link. It’s not a foregone conclusion … [Read more...]
Bedding makes a difference to cow comfort
Dairy cows will rest in a lying position 14 or more hours per day. Maximizing cow comfort during these periods is important to optimum production. Italian researchers compared wheat straw and poplar wood shavings focusing on the cleanliness of the beds and comfort of the cows resting on them in a small study worth noting and using to start a conversation on a farm … [Read more...]
CattleFax forecasts continued producer profitability
Profitable cattle production is always a pleasant thought. However, the downside for animal health pros will be the smallest beef cow inventory in the last 50 years. CattleFax says herd expansion will likely be delayed once again due to factors of uncertainty including drought. Source: Feedstuffs, February 2, 2024. Link. Also see: Drought’s heavy impact on decline of … [Read more...]
9 ways to resuscitate a newborn calf
Bovine veterinarians offer ways to help a calf at birth if needed. They assert the importance of improving their own resuscitation skills and teaching them to producers. Instead of drenching the calf with water . . . pour a small amount of cold tap water into one ear to activate neurons and stimulate the calf’s gasp reflex.” Source: Bovine Veterinarian, November 10, 2023. … [Read more...]
Comprehensive overview of Lyme disease in horses (audio recording)
The clinical signs of Lyme disease in horses are controversial. Toby Pinn-Woodcock, DVM, DACVIM, provides a comprehensive overview of the disease, including clinical signs, testing recommendations, treatments and vaccination protocols. Source: EquiManagement, Disease DuJour, January 29, 2024. Link. (26:35) Borrelia burgdorferi in horses should always be a diagnosis of … [Read more...]
Update on CWD and potential spillover risks
Chronic wasting disease is currently known to infect only members of the cervid family, such as elk, deer, reindeer, caribou and moose. Scientists are increasing research on CWD and say we are ill-prepared should a mutation allow a spillover into other species. CWD is a neurological disease caused by misfolded proteins called prions. Prions behave very differently than viruses … [Read more...]
How often do horses need to see the dentist?
The general rule is that a horse’s teeth should be floated every year, but there are other considerations depending on the horse’s age, health and the equine dentist. Lu Ann Groves, DVM, shares equine dentistry guidance, as well as questions for horse owners to ask dental professionals. Source: Equine Wellness Magazine, AHD Archives. Link. Also see: Equine dentistry tips … [Read more...]
The relationship between foxes and coyotes living in cities (video)
A colleague sent us this video featuring a University of Minnesota researcher documenting the relationship between foxes and coyotes in the Twin Cities seven-county metro area. Informative, it explains the challenges of fox-coyote relationships which push foxes closer to our backyards. The intersection of wildlife and our domestic animals is worth more attention and … [Read more...]
AKC has a new top dog
After 31 years, America has a new favorite dog bypassing the ever-popular Laborador Retriever. AKC’s top dog in 2022 is the big-headed, smash-nosed, urban-friendly French Bulldog. The Lab is still number 2. Source: UpWorthy, AKC, January 22, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
February is National Cat Health Month
Along with the annual focus on oral care and the beginnings of flea, tick and mosquito season, February is dedicated to cat health. The consumer messages remind cat owners of the importance of maintaining regular veterinary appointments. Christian Adams shares tips to ensure cats remain healthy all year long. Source: Catster, January 27, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: Veterinary … [Read more...]
Silent hazards of the grooming profession
Probably one of the more common and most debilitating issues groomers deal with is Groomer’s Lung, writes Cliff Faver, DVM. It is a combination of breathing in hair slivers, bacteria, fungi, dead skin cells and probably even an occasional parasite. Shampoo is designed to clean, and unless it is specifically designed to kill bacteria/fungus, it does not protect against … [Read more...]
Canine and feline dental home care tips for pet owners
Sponsored Content Even with all the options for pet oral care, animal health pros need to keep the topic front and center year-round. February is National Pet Dental Month which parallels Children’s Dental Health Month and Gum Disease Awareness Month promotions. This article provides content worth sharing with animal owners. Comprehensive oral care for pets starts at home . … [Read more...]
Reminder. Clean it up and dispose properly!
This article offers a good reminder of the importance of removing dog and cat feces from yards, parks and trails to avoid potential infections and to keep updated on preventatives. Dog and cat feces left in neighborhoods, dog parks and forests can spread life-threatening parasites and viruses to other dogs and cats as well as wild animals and people” – Julia Wuerz, … [Read more...]