Inventory issues that led to the de-prioritization of the traditional Black Friday and decreased discounts may continue to damper the in-store holiday shopping season going forward. The days of lining up at stores for Black Friday deals may be over.” Source: Modern Retail, November 30, 2021. Link. Brands and retailers themselves have been pushing consumers away from a … [Read more...]
Consumer survey predicts holiday giving to pets will grow
Ho, ho, ho! Duke and Ginger and all their companion animal pals are likely to see presents under the tree. Fifty-six percent of consumers surveyed plan to buy their pets a present this year, up from 51 percent last year and 47 percent in 2019. Thankfully, for most pets this holiday season, the best present will be a squeaky sprout toy or snazzy Santa outfit, not a new … [Read more...]
CDC eases restrictions on entering U.S. with dogs
The United States government has eased up on a rule that banned the importation of dogs from 113 countries because of concerns over fraudulent rabies vaccination certificates. As of October 14, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention blocked the import of foreign dogs and those re-entering the country after traveling abroad, from countries where the risk of … [Read more...]
Research backed tips for using emojis at work
Emojis have become acceptable even in workplace email etiquette. When using them, just be sure they are appropriate and easily understood within the context. Source: Fast Company, October 31, 2021. Link. Three out of four surveyed believed that using emojis has improved their communication in the workplace. The most accepted emoji at 71% was “thumbs up,” which signifies … [Read more...]
Set boundaries with chatty colleagues
You might think you’re being generous or patient by listening to a chatty coworker talk endlessly, but you’re simply letting resentment fester that’s toxic to your emotional well-being and productivity. Melody Wilding offers advice for setting boundaries with a talkative colleague in a compassionate, diplomatic way that still allows you to get your work done: Preempt their … [Read more...]
What neuroscience tells us about social media marketing
This article is worth consideration and will resonate with many of you. It seems intuitive: Few of us need convincing that interrupting meaningful social gatherings with random peddling from sales and marketing people run contrary to our internal sense of right and wrong. Social media marketers, on the other hand, aren't getting the signals, writes Nicole Gravagna, … [Read more...]
VIS shares results from 2nd burnout study; announces upcoming webinar
Findings from the Burnout Study in the Veterinary Profession 2021 show a statistically significant increase in burnout levels between 2020 and 2021. Women, younger practitioners and veterinary technicians were found to be the most burned-out groups. All veterinary professionals suffer from high workloads and low work-life balance factors that have a direct impact on the … [Read more...]
4 quick tips to get cattle winter-ready
The Thanksgiving holiday is a good time to enlist some extra helpers on the farm. Extension beef specialist Ron Lemenager recommends these steps for early winter herd management planning: Take care of your weaning Get your vaccinations done Prepare your facilities Consider adding windbreaks or other protective structures to limit cattle stress Source: … [Read more...]
Keys to systematically minimizing and eliminating diseases in pig production
Joseph F. Connor, DVM, MS, is well known for applying his experiences and knowledge to the management and elimination of diseases in pig production. He shares how diseases were managed in the past and how to use what was learned to better manage current and potential future diseases. When you have multiple pathogens, the strategy should be first to focus on the one that can be … [Read more...]
Is it or isn’t it colic?
Colic can be resolved easily about 90 percent of the time, but it can also be the end of a horse’s life, writes Marsha King. She provides 33 tips to use as guidelines when dealing with horses. Any horse can experience colic. The disorder is indiscriminate of age, sex, breed, occupation, or environment.” - Michael Fugaro, VMD, Dipl. ACVS Source: The Horse, August 22, … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – November 22, 2021
Brands offering health-oriented products for aging pets, grant opportunities and sponsored content from Morton Buildings. Also check out the IBPSA member list <Link> to know who else is member in your area. Source: IBPSA, November 22, 2021. Link. Consider the species-specific educational materials and certification exams for you and your staff <Link>. … [Read more...]
Decision-getting comes from understanding
Editor’s note: Thank you Mr. Malone for your tireless commitment to provide content and context to our weekly Bulletins. The most successful people I know are those who get the most decisions. So, it is vital to understand the decision-making process. Source: Vet Advantage, October 2021. Link. Decisions are made at the intersection of “what do I know” and “how do I feel … [Read more...]
In protein we trust
Rarely a day goes by without seeing content aimed at animal protein sources. Every animal health pro has a vested interest in animal protein production whether for your table at home or in the dish for pets. NAMI’s newest initiative, the Protein PACT is setting out to provide the necessary proof to secure and sustain consumer trust in the animal protein industry. PACT … [Read more...]
The climate crisis: Reducing pets’ environmental pawprints
There is a lot of coverage these days about addressing sustainability and carbon footprints. Livestock production has been heavily targeted, as has fossil fuel consumption and automotive emissions. The real challenge is understanding the total carbon cost from inception to the ultimate destroying of an item and its residual waste. In this article by Adam Green, pet food … [Read more...]
VetWatch™ then and now shows continued growth
Providing consistent data on practice visits and revenues, the VetWatch™ weekly insight reports and commentary brings practices and industry a perspective on demand, especially in the pet segments. We’ve linked to the current report and the report from a year ago. Take a few minutes to compare these commentaries. We’ve come a long ways in the past 12 months!” Source: Vet … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – November 17, 2021
Last week’s. . . . . . most read post We’re overfeeding like crazy. Link. . . . AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin – November 11, 2021. Link. . . . Posts from one year ago Archived posts from November 2020. Link. Why do animals hibernate? Source: Trivia Genius, November 12, 2021. Link. Bears may be the most famous hibernators, … [Read more...]
Preparing cattle for transport saves time, money and stress
Every year after harvest, millions of cattle are trucked to graze crop residue, get to winter pasture or to be put in dry lots. With current challenges in the trucking industry, reviewing best practices is appropriate. . . .several factors should be considered when cattle are being transported. These include loading conditions, time in transit, weather conditions, comingling, … [Read more...]
Dead sows are co$tly
Complimentary Commercial Content Sow mortality has nearly doubled in the past 15 years to approximately 13 percent. Ron Ketchum estimates a midpoint cost of $1,125 per dead sow. This amounts to an estimated $2.25 per pig weaned in incremental production cost. Source: The Pig Site, November 11, 2021. Link. Also see: Sow to sales: mortality breakdowns, National Hog … [Read more...]
Diagnosing and treating itchy horses
Pruritus remains challenging for veterinarians to diagnose and treat. It is a broad issue in horses that encompasses a wide range of causes. Management and prevention are key to the welfare of affected horses. Alexandra Beckstett summarizes a presentation by Janet Littlewood, BVSc (Hons), MA, PhD, DVD, DVR, MRCVS, on the three main culprits of pruritus in horses: … [Read more...]
How to get that pill down
The best medicine can’t help if your dog won’t take it, says Ernie Ward, DVM. He shares less intimidating and more compassionate methods of pilling a dog than simply shoving a pill down the dog’s throat. Source: Dogster, October 28, 2021. Link. Regardless of your approach, always observe your dog until you’re certain the meds are on their way to the stomach. INSIGHTS: We … [Read more...]
Connecting the gut to the skin
The skin is an important immune organ with functions that include barriers against foreign antigens, sensory perception, reproduction and antimicrobial action. Amelia White, DVM, MS, DACVD, shares some of the important ways nutrition plays a role in dermatological diseases. Source: Veterinary Practice News, August 2021. Link. Scaling skin, alopecia, and skin infections may … [Read more...]
Top 5 holiday dangers for pets
Holiday decorations are appearing worldwide. Pet owners will appreciate reminders about commonly found holiday dangers for pets as they gather or travel for celebrations. Jenifer Chatfield, DVM, and twin brother Jason Chatfield, DVM, share five top holiday dangers: Out-of-town guests; people and their pets Holiday decorations; tinsel, ornaments and seasonal plants … [Read more...]
Deliver on what you promise
How good is your do-to-say ratio? Adam Bryant says the right balance is heavy on follow-through and reliability. Those who have it will go far in life. Reliability goes to the heart of what it means to be a team player. It removes the hierarchy of an org chart and acknowledges that everyone relies on one another to achieve a goal.” - Paula Long Source: Strategy + Business, … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – November 15, 2021
New AVMA journals website launched, managing feline stress, email authentication to get more emails through, Apple’s new subscription service for small businesses, IBPSA is migrating to a new association management software system, new learning management system and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, November 15, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Body language expert explains how to show confidence
Confidence is an important element of successful communication. We are now reengaging face to face after months of isolation and virtual interactions. Face masks are now removed in certain situations. Our body language either projects confidence or the lack of it. Former FBI agent and body language expert Joe Navarro explains how we can project confidence through our body … [Read more...]
Does appearance still proclaim us?
A study of pet owner perceptions offers insight on how appearance influences first impressions of animal health professionals. Professional medical attire and consistency among staff members was noted in the key takeaways. Shakespeare, Mark Twain and Henry Ward Beecher all wrote about the importance of attire. Clothes and manners do not make the man; but, when he is made, … [Read more...]
Pet Age introduces pet industry’s 2021 Power 50 list
In its inaugural Power 50 list, Pet Age recognizes the people whose vital work has made a substantial impact on the pet market. Note the cross section of businesses represented. The criteria were simple: Identify the people influencing the pet care community in positive ways, whether they be company leaders, heads of organizations or officials whose decisions affect the pet … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – November 11, 2021
Last week’s. . . . . . most read post Cost of veterinary care concerns consistent among generations. Link. . . . AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin – November 4, 2021. Link. . . . Archives Archived AHD posts for October 2021. Link. This 11-year-old is helping hard-to-place dogs in shelters get attention – and find new … [Read more...]
Tackling listeriosis on the farm
Listeriosis is a bacterial disease caused by the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. It is present everywhere in the environment and survives well in moist soil for about one year. A synopsis explaining the infection path of Listeria and how farmers can keep the infection at bay is provided here written by Clare Holmes from Northern Ireland’s Agri-Food and Biosciences … [Read more...]
10 early interventions to rescue sick calves
Scours and pneumonia are the twin challenges of every calf raiser, especially heading into winter. However, early detection along with proven interventions, will help many calves pull through temporary setbacks and thrive. . . . supportive care is more valuable than antibiotics.” - Pamela Ruegg, DVM, MPVM Source: Dairy Herd Management, November 3, 2021. Link. Develop … [Read more...]