Every practice employee is an ambassador for that practice and, as a result, has a responsibility to aid in the sales process. Source: Veterinary Advantage, October 2024. Link. “(Inaction bias) is a little devil driving the tendency to do nothing because the risk of making a wrong decision feels too high,” says Brian Sullivan. INSIGHT: Think of it as leadership – helping … [Read more...]
NO Rx required; FDA approves the first at-home test for Covid-19 and the flu
Commentary Home-based diagnostics are a growing trend. These technologies will continue to provide preliminary intelligence for individuals without the knowledge of healthcare professionals. As home-based technology expands, one must consider the effects on the quality of care and the parallels to animal healthcare. Authorization of a Covid-19 and flu test expands the … [Read more...]
Dealing with a toxic employee as a manager
Sharing a balanced approach to addressing challenging behaviors, Vincent Sanderson advises managers to start by being mindful of how they’re defining toxic behavior. Then engage one-on-one with a focus on understanding rather than dictating. Source: Fast Company, October 8, 2024. Link. One bad apple unfortunately can spoil the lot. But if you focus on the cause of the … [Read more...]
Simon Sinek: What Noah taught me about leadership (true story)
Simon Sinek shares a true story of his experience with a barista named Noah which taught him an interesting lesson about leadership. In under three minutes, Sinek shares the importance of leadership creating the right environment. Throughout the day managers will walk past me, ask me how I am doing and if I need anything . . .” Source: Live2Lead, YouTube, Simon Sinek, … [Read more...]
5 red flags that show you don’t understand your Gen Z employees
Gen Z is shaking things up, writes Cheryl Fields Tyler. She shares five signs of ineffective engagement and ways for companies to improve: Not realizing Gen Z is more skeptical of AI than millennials Assuming you can attract them without strong company values Treating DEI as old news and not essential Failing to harness Gen Z’s enthusiasm toward their employers … [Read more...]
Tracking veterinary technicians. 116 years of development.
Clinician’s Brief’s historical snapshot of the developing role of veterinary technicians is a good read and offers perspectives as our industry continues to struggle to define how these important pros are considered and positioned in veterinary teams and regulatory systems. This week is the 31st National Veterinary Technician Week and our AHD Team acknowledges the critical … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – October 9, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, October 3, 2024. Link. Most read posts from the October 3rd AHD Bulletin – “Social license to operate” topic drives equine gathering agenda. Link. Probiotics, prebiotics for feline digestive health. Link. Non-antibiotic approaches to canine recurrent UTIs. Link. Plain speak matters. Link. … [Read more...]
NAVC Gives awards $10,000 to the Veterinary Industry Giving Tree
The funds from NAVC Gives will support veterinary families in need, including those affected by Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina and other areas affected. Source: PR Newswire, October 8, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Ollie acquires DIG Labs, rolls out new Foodback Loop™ to elevate health services
Ollie, a subscription-based fresh dog food company, has acquired DIG Labs, an AI-powered diagnostic company, providing real-time, image-based pet health screenings across stool, weight management, skin and coat, dental care and more. The company shared its Foodback Loop™ is a revolutionary, closed-loop, and proprietary process that leverages over 20 million first-party data … [Read more...]
Instinct Science reports on state of emergency and specialty veterinary care
Instinct Science’s second annual State of Emergency and Specialty Veterinary Care Report highlights positive shifts in morale and teamwork in this sector of veterinary services. Among the findings, a) patient volume and wait times have eased, b) staffing shortages have decreased slightly, and c), morale and job satisfaction have improved across the sector. Along with the … [Read more...]
To mask or not in the swine barn for flu?
Montse Torremorell, DVM, shares the risks from bidirectional transmission of influenza A virus between pigs and people. He says the frequent spillover of human-origin seasonal influenza viruses to pigs is a main driver for flu diversity, resulting in new reassortant viruses that threaten pig health, productivity and public health. Results from a recent study evaluating masks … [Read more...]
New products from World Dairy Expo
Mark Moore shares new products that garnered attention at World Dairy Expo that took place in Madison, Wisconsin, from September 28th to October 4th. Featured are management products that promise to help streamline some of the processes on farm. For animal health pros working with dairies, learning about new products outside your own offerings can be beneficial during a … [Read more...]
Worker safety includes teaming with veterinarians
Working with livestock always includes opportunities for someone to get injured. National Safety Month is behind us, but attention to safety requires continual attention. Every day, about 100 agricultural workers suffer a lost-work-time injury. Two articles from the NCBA BQA library are timely as fall cattle work progresses. Understanding the animals, as well as the best … [Read more...]
Larval therapy decreases layup time for coffin bone infection
A post from the Rood & Riddle Equine Podiatry unit is shared in the article here. The case described shares a thoroughbred with a recurrent abscess. Instead of debriding the infection and starting the horse on regional perfusions and systemic antibiotics, the doctors used larval therapy to debride the diseased tissue. The larval therapy technique involved a shorter layup … [Read more...]
Explaining why cats chatter
Victoria Atkinson shares possible reasons to explain the quiet chattering noise cats sometimes make. There are no current studies investigating this behavior, however, cat owners and researchers have some possible explanations for the chattering behaviors. Cats can be seen and heard chattering in the You Tube video shown above <Link>. [6:29] Source: LiveScience, … [Read more...]
Gracie, Glacer National Park’s B.A.R.K. Ranger
Gracie a 10-year-old Border Collie is an official “Wildlife Working Dog.” Twice a week in the summer, she and owner-handler Mark Biel patrol Montana’s Logan Pass in Glacier National Park in an effort to curb wildlife encounters, especially bighorn sheep or mountain goats. Source: Thrillist, September 30, 2024. Link. B.A.R.K. stands for: Bag your pet’s waste Always … [Read more...]
Theories on why dogs do what they do
Many dog behaviors are inexplicable, but they have meaning. Experts share some theories on why dogs tilt their heads, eat grass, lean on us and more. Animal health pros can use this article for social media or newsletters to help dog owners attempt to decipher and understand their dogs' idiosyncratic behaviors. Source: Better Help. Link. Related: Educating pet owners on … [Read more...]
How to stop making excuses
If you’re currently an excuse maker, there is good news: you can break the habit with better choices and stronger effort. It takes a mindset shift and a conscious, continuous effort to take responsibility for your actions and choices. Steve Keating shares some practical steps to help maintain power over your circumstances rather than allowing circumstances to control … [Read more...]
Food-moving behavior by dogs discussed
Joan Merriam’s article is interesting. She shares various theories to explain why dogs move their kibble and it ends up all over the floor and in various areas of the house. Among them are instinct, looking for comfort, and resource-guarding. Source: Whole Dog Journal, September 21, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Oak mites join chiggers, mosquitos, other insects as big annoyance for pets, humans
According to cicada expert Dr. Gene Kritsky, a particular mite known as the "oak leaf itch mite" can be seen in large amounts following a cicada emergence. The articles shared here offer information on these little critters known as Pyemotes herfsi. Oak leaf itch mites are nearly invisible to the naked eye (0.2 mm in length), but they are responsible for mite bite outbreaks in … [Read more...]
Walmart is expanding pet care services
Walmart is opening five more pet services centers after testing the first location near Atlanta. The centers offer vet visits and grooming. The pet services centers will have their own dedicated entrance next to a store under the Walmart name and staffed by employees of vet care and pet product company PetIQ. Source: CNBC, October 8, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Pet Product News top dog product picks of 2024
It is always a good idea for animal health pros to scan through new products. Treats, chew toys, a clear pet gate, a board game to play with a dog, car seat, functional supplements, special collars and more are featured here as winners of PPN's Editors' Choice Awards. Source: Pet Product News, October 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Pedigreed cat sales now outpace moggie cats
Cats Protection is the UK's leading cat charity. The charity’s 2024 report on cats and their stats indicates 45 percent of all cats acquired between March 2023 and March 2024 were pedigreed or purebred cats, compared to 43 percent moggies. The remainder was made up of cross-breeds. These data represent a significant shift in trends leading the organization to share concerns … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – October 7, 2024
Poopcopter is the world’s first aerial bound self-guided dog poop removal system, Fire Prevention Week, improving employee performance, dogs traveling, pet spending continues, the evolution of pet food processing and more . . . Note: The APPA is seeking speakers for The Pet Summit to take place from March 24th-26th, 2025, in Orlando, Florida alongside the Global Pet … [Read more...]
VHMA announces new certification for Veterinary Management Professionals; the CVOM
The Certified Veterinary Office Manager program is intended to certify qualified management professionals with a focus on fundamental administrative office tasks, including team leadership roles. To qualify for the exam, candidates must have one year of experience in a veterinary practice, have accomplished specified tasks, and have two letters of recommendation. Source: … [Read more...]
Why handwriting still matters in the digital age
Research shows that putting pen to paper offers cognitive benefits that digital tools can’t replicate. Source: National Geographic, September 26, 2024. Link. The most surprising thing was that the whole brain was active when they were writing by hand, [while] much smaller areas were active when they were typewriting.” - Audrey van der Meer, PhD … [Read more...]
Managing risk
Risk comes in all forms and with variety, volume and velocity of different degrees. Known or unknown, the next disruptors are already in play. Ingraining risk management into every function within an organization can not only enhance resilience, but also lead to better strategies and outcomes.” Source: weforum.org, January 8, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: Involve the practice’s … [Read more...]
Celebrate National 4-H Week (video)
National 4-H week celebrates how the organization helps prepare youth for success in college and careers. From October 7th through October 14th, the week will be marked by activities across the country, showcasing the talents and accomplishments of 4-H members. Whether through community service projects, leadership workshops or educational fairs, the week will shine a spotlight … [Read more...]
FDA Safety Communication update: Evaluating plastic syringes made in China for potential device failures
In its August 16th update, the FDA recommendations have not changed. It recommends the following: Use syringes not manufactured in China, if possible. At this time, glass syringes, pre-filled syringes, or syringes used for topical purposes are not included. If you only have syringes manufactured in China, then continue to use them as needed until you are able to use … [Read more...]
Synchrony’s new technology connects pet insurance and CareCredit to streamline pet care payment processes
Synchony’s patent-pending new reimbursement technology is an advancement in the often-complicated process of managing pet healthcare expenses. For pet owners who have both CareCredit and Pets Best pet insurance, this technology simplifies the payment process by directly reimbursing insurance claims to the CareCredit health and wellness credit card. Source: Synchrony, October … [Read more...]