Proving that livestock producers are forward thinkers, Maureen Hanson shares an embryo surrogacy project that may help develop more revenue for a dairy and provide a dam for beef embryos sitting in tanks. Source: Drovers, August 9, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: We noted a number of potential benefits from this collaboration, including synchronization of many cows together, … [Read more...]
Why equine disease reporting varies between states
Some equine diseases trigger alerts in some states but aren't reported at all in others, writes Leslie Barlow. She shares why disease reporting can be confusing including the alphabet soup of organizations involved in determining what to report or not. Barlow manages communications at the Equine Disease Communication Center. Source: The Paulick Report, August 20, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Reinforce the importance fall equine vaccinations, wellness checks
Commentary, Commercial Content In a recent survey of horse owners, Boehringer-Ingelheim found 92 percent of them said boosting vaccinations was important . . . BUT, only 55 percent followed through to administer the boosters. Labor Day weekend is a favorite time for horse owners to get out with their favorite mounts. Equine practices have an opportunity in the coming … [Read more...]
West Nile Virus now a permanent U.S. resident
Until late summer 1999, few American horse owners had heard of West Nile virus. The story of how it was found, spread, monitored and prevented is worth reviewing. Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc, writes the 25-year story of WNV in the U.S. in the feature linked here. Understanding the history informs our current situation as CDC data indicates 48 states and the District of Columbia … [Read more...]
Common allergy medications can be deadly to pets
Well, of course . . . BUT do pet owners and their guests really guard where pills are stored and ingested. It’s not uncommon to find an aberrant pill that didn’t reach the weekly pill organizer or a person’s mouth. With cats on the table and dogs in our laps, this release from the Pet Poison Helpline underscores the risks of our pets getting into our medications, as well as a … [Read more...]
Revisiting Old Yeller ahead of World Rabies Day 2024
The news story of at least one puppy in a litter of unvaccinated puppies transported from North Texas to a Denver-area dog rescue that was found to have rabies prompted Dan Solomon to write the article shared here. Fred Gipson’s 1956 novel, “Old Yeller” and subsequent movie depictions of it may not be familiar to Millennials or Gen Z and likely won’t be on reading lists for Gen … [Read more...]
Essential items needed when hiking with dogs
Many dog owners will take to the trails or field as summer wanes and cooler fall temperatures prevail. Patrick Lumontod has assembled a list of essential items for being out and about with dogs. Water, ID tags, microchips and a photo are among the items he lists. The article is good content for social media. Source: Top Dog Tips, December 6, 2023. Link. INSIGHTS: Many dog … [Read more...]
AKC turns 140 in September
The AKC staff provides a historical look at how the AKC started from hunters’ desires to standardize their animals to what it is today. The original dogs registered were Pointer, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Clumber Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, Sussex Spaniel, Irish Water Spaniel, Irish Setter, English Setter and Gordon Setter. The Lancashire Heeler was the latest dog registered in … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – August 26, 2024
Veterinarians on strike in UK pet market, concerns about cats contracting bird flu, GlobalVetLink partners with Bond Vet to streamline pet travel, high school certificate program creating job-ready students for work in vet hospitals, helping small business employees with retirement plans and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, August 26, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Character and integrity
All smart leadership and business decisions are founded on the bedrock of character and integrity. Operating with character and integrity means having unwavering certainty, especially when faced with difficult choices. Source: Inc., August 19, 2024. Link. It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it.” – Warren Buffett INSIGHTS: Integrity is the … [Read more...]
33 Pet companies make list of fastest-growing businesses in the U.S.
A broad range of pet businesses made Inc. 5000’s list of the fastest-growing private companies in America. They include corporate and group practices, nutrition companies and service providers. Consider reviewing what these companies are doing, providing and manufacturing. Many of the trends we see every week are reflected in their growth. Source: Pet Product News, August … [Read more...]
5 silent revenue drains and ways to plug them
Janine Malloy shares ways practices lose revenue in booking, serving and billing clients. The drains she presents become more problematic when staff members are not on the same page. Missed charges and no-shows remain a significant challenge, especially if the hospital is short-staffed. Source: DVM360, August 21, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
The 5 levers of compliance
Commentary People ultimately do business with people they trust and respect. It is not a new phenomenon but requires exerting intentional effort. Clients want a practice team who treats them and their pets as individuals and then works to establish a services relationship. Last August, when sharing an article by Wendy Hauser, DVM, I asserted the priority of engaging … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – August 22, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, August 15, 2024. Link. Most read posts from the August 15th AHD Bulletin – Immunity, more than just giving a shot, let’s review. Link. Personal transformation through leadership. Link. The most expensive pets to own; annual and lifetime costs ranked. Link. TikTok 2024 Shopping Trends: “Bending … [Read more...]
As PRRS-resistant pigs are introduced, producer urges caution, transparency
Iowa pork producer Mike Paustian, PhD, wants to avoid potential fallout that has accompanied other genetically modified pig introductions. He says the need to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and how to effectively implement this advancement within the pork industry is paramount before asking consumers to accept it. Only then can the industry help them understand how … [Read more...]
Reducing dairy emissions starts with manure
Stockpiled manure is typically spread in the spring and summer, but experts are urging dairy producers to find ways to get manure out in the summer. Deborah Jeanne Sergeant shares recommendations from experts to help reduce greenhouse gases from manure, curtail methane production and adjust diets to lower emissions. Manure and the gases that come from it represent 52 percent … [Read more...]
Culling ratios reveal the value of a herd’s health
Commentary One of three cows you see on a dairy farm will be culled. It is a shocking figure and represents many factors that impact individual cow and overall dairy performance. Preventative strategies help reduce losses to death and sickness and allow dairies to cull voluntarily to improve genetics and eliminate poor doers. Understanding culling rates and reasons is … [Read more...]
New research unlocks the secret to boosting colostrum production in dairy cows
Colostrum variability remains a continuing topic in animal production. We all agree it’s the primary source of antibodies that protect newborns from sickness, while providing necessary nutrients for growth and development. As such, it is more than milk. In dairy production, colostrum varies by cow and its contents determine how well calves develop, grow and become part of a … [Read more...]
2024 CATalyst Report provides critical insights on feline health for animal health pros
The CATalyst Council’s first-of-its-kind data set and the resulting reports will help animal health pros in animal health companies, shelter and adoption organizations, and the veterinary community. It provides insights on feline wellness and nutrition as well as relational dynamics between cat owners and their veterinarians. In addition to the top three issues veterinarians … [Read more...]
Advancing the benefits pets bring their people
Animal health pros see this every day, although most never have a physician ask any questions about pets. We still have a long ways to go to educate and support the health benefits of human-animal bonds while our work continues to optimize overall pet wellness. The Human Animal Bond Research Institute and Mental Health America recently shared new survey results on the care … [Read more...]
Red flag: 8 ways to budget for the cost of owning a new dog
Commentary We sometimes see consumer-facing content that misses the mark. Sadly, thousands of pet owners will read this and, trusting the internet, act on some of the suggestions. Here are three of the eight suggestions that were not well thought out: Buying pet food in bulk: Economies of scale from big bags of dog food diminish when not used up within four to six weeks … [Read more...]
54 pet product manufacturers, service providers earn 2024 Pet Innovation Awards
The Pet Innovation Awards Program highlights the most innovative companies, services and products in the highly competitive pet care industry. The awards encompass a range of pet care industry categories, including apparel, grooming and cleaning, food and treats, health, housing, toys, training, retailers and services. Source: Pet Product News, August 2024. Link. The 2024 … [Read more...]
Dr. Jen the vet to provide canine leptospirosis updates, recommendations
Complimentary Content A new, blended PACCC educational series webinar series is designed for veterinarians, veterinary technicians, petcare and pet services professionals. The series supports the Professional Animal Care Certification Council’s objectives to bring independent testing and certification to the pet care services industry. Source: Dr. Jen the vet, LinkedIn, … [Read more...]
Where confidence comes from and how to build more of it
Rebekah Brandes says, “Fake it ‘til you make it,” is a likely answer to building confidence but not sustainable. She reviews possible sources of self-efficacy, mastery, relationships and learning something new, including references from confidence experts. Source: Nice News, August 17, 2024. Link. Although it can be uncomfortable to try something new and expand our circles … [Read more...]
Logic, emotion affect decisions
A better understanding of decision-makers will lead to more productive client conversations. Simple decisions are mostly dominated by logic, while more complex decisions are derived by the emotional components of decision-making. Source: Veterinary Advantage, October 2023. Link. Attitudes are dynamic, changing based on each situation and the moment in … [Read more...]
Seek to understand workflows before you pivot
Implementing a major change to a business used to happen once every five or 10 years, but with advancements in artificial intelligence, economic uncertainty and digital transformation, businesses must adapt much more frequently, writes Mike Chisholm. He shares the importance of understanding workflows, realizing the bottom-line significance of frontline employees and the value … [Read more...]
The top 3 skills you need to succeed in an AI-driven world
David C. Edelman and Mark Abraham say we all need to increase our AI readiness in the workplace, fast. They share the top three skills that workers will need to succeed in an AI-driven world and how to develop these skills: Curiosity An understanding of data Unwavering accountability Source: Fast Company, August 14, 2024. Link. Photo by Steve Johnson on … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – August 15, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, August 8, 2024. Link. Most read posts from the August 8th AHD Bulletin – Adjusting to your customer. Link. Inflation pinching pet owners, forcing pet spending decisions. Link. Communicating value for technician appointment fees. Link. Study: Two, 200mg doses of iron dextran better than 1 dose of … [Read more...]
Immunity, more than just giving a shot, let’s review
Commentary I like the title of this article. It reminds me of so many conversations about vaccine timing, maternal antibodies, labels saying “for the vaccination of healthy animals,” booster dose timing and more. In the article here, Jason Anderson, DVM reviews what it takes to mount an immune response sufficient enough to create immunity. Giving a shot of vaccine does not … [Read more...]
Considerations for cow bedding
Waterbeds for cows always conjures a comical mental image. But, considering dairy cows will rest in a lying position 14 or more hours per day <Link>, choosing the best bedding is an important decision for dairy producers. Amber Adams Progar reviews the pros and cons of different bedding types in this article. Source: Progressive Dairy, June 12, 2024. Link. Related: … [Read more...]