Adjusting dog diets with fresh, raw and organic foods is popular. This article is a guide, compares fresh foods as supplemental versus kibble elimination and reminds pet owners to balance portions to manage weight gains. Whether raw or lightly cooked, a mostly fresh food diet yields outstanding results, with clear eyes, beautiful coats, great teeth, sweet breath, calm … [Read more...]
Cats 101 resources, Fear Free Happy Homes
Complimentary Content More than 55,000 professionals have become Fear Free Certified and there are now more than 140 Fear Free Certified Practices. In addition to animal health professionals’ efforts, Fear Free Happy Homes provides resources directly to pet owners. One example is the Cats 101 kit created to help cat owners learn feline fundamentals. Source: Fear Free … [Read more...]
Let’s review NSAIDs
NSAIDs are commonly used in veterinary practice. Like most routine behaviors, it is good to routinely review the why and. Natalie Smith, DVM, and Claire L. Fellman, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, DACVCP, provide their top five situations for judicious NSAID use, along with important considerations for patient safety. Source: Clinician’s Brief, March 2021. Link. NSAIDs are important … [Read more...]
Dogs needed for dog aging research, new studies
The Dog Aging Project is looking for more canine participants to include in ongoing community science research projects dedicated to understanding the biological and environmental determinants of canine aging. Researchers seek dogs, preferably puppies of both purebred and mixed breeds, in the following categories from a variety of geographies: Large breed dogs Giant … [Read more...]
National Pet Week is May 2 through 8
National Pet Week takes place the first week of May and there is a lot to celebrate. From cats, dogs and fish to lizards, snakes and tarantulas, there’s room for all. Enjoy! Source: National Pet Week 2021. Link. No matter how tough things may seem, pets eagerly provide comfort, sympathy and unquestioned understanding when we most need it. … [Read more...]
World Veterinary Day is April 24
World Veterinary Day is this Saturday! This year’s theme is The Veterinarian Response to the Covid-19 Crisis. Thrown into the pandemic, veterinarians worldwide stepped up to receive animals differently and still treat them according to proven protocols. Click the link below and you’ll find nine ways to celebrate World Veterinary Day. Source: World Veterinary Day 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Rural broadband plagued by poor mapping, high costs
Weaknesses in broadband coverage in rural areas were highly evident in 2020. House Agriculture Committee members heard from those who expressed the need to update maps on areas that remain underserved, as well as offer flexible funding to spread out costs to extend broadband coverage. Extended broadband coverage is important to extend the value of telehealth for all species, … [Read more...]
How to generate more clients at your veterinary practice
Opinion We held this article to position it now, one year post-Covid-19 shutdowns and the anniversary of the first wave of pet adoptions that followed. Robert Sanchez is no stranger to veterinary practices and his article is purposeful and valuable. He applies sales terminology to new customer acquisition tactics. Considering the timing, we believe it is important to … [Read more...]
Engage sales reps as resources
The great reps that call on your clinic are first interested in your success because they know it will aid their success. In my most recent column for Vet-Advantage magazine, I suggest ways reps can be of further help during this pandemic. You can start the process by engaging your rep in this conversation. Source: Vet-Advantage, February 2021 Digital. Link. They (Engaged … [Read more...]
4 things Gen Z and millennials expect from their workplace
To develop the next generation of organizational leaders, Ed Boyle says every employer needs to ask, “What do our younger workers want from the workplace?” Above all, Gen Z and millennials want an employer who cares about their wellbeing Gen Z and millennials want their leaders to be ethical Older millennials want open, transparent leaders Gen Z and younger … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – April 15, 2021
What bears can teach us about exercise habits Source: New York Times, April 7, 2021. Link. Like us, bears are inherently lazy. Scientists are finding out why. Their results are remarkable. The time has come to start training the pets for your return to work Source: CNN, April 11, 2021. Link. Millions of adopted pets have no sense … [Read more...]
U.S. dairy cows upcycle up to 306 million pounds of food waste every day
Cows have been targets of bad press in recent years. But thanks to the rumen, cows divert millions of pounds of food waste from landfills. In the process they turn byproducts into milk, meat and manure. Georgie Smith shares the benefits of upcycling tasks cows perform. Source: The Daily Churn, July 24, 2020. Link. … [Read more...]
Study reveals possible role of insects in ASF transmission
In a newly published study, African swine fever viruses have been detected in blood-sucking insects, particularly in those found on farms where pigs are present. While direct transmission was not conclusive, the study reinforces the need to consider insects in biosecurity efforts. Source: Feed Strategy, April 7, 2021. Link. INSIGHTS: Fly control has always been important … [Read more...]
Calves and flies don’t have to coexist
Calves are a popular target for fly breeding grounds because their bedding and feed are perfect havens for flies to multiply en masse. Entomologist Roger Moon and dairy producer Merri Post shared experiences and ideas about reducing flies and their impact on herd health. Source: Dairy Herd Management, April 12, 2021. Link. INSIGHTS: For salespersons and veterinary teams, … [Read more...]
Improved treatment helps cats with chronic kidney disease
Two percent to 20 percent of all cats and 30 percent of cats over the age of 10 have chronic kidney disease. Recent advances in diagnostics and medical management mean veterinarians can now treat some cats for extended periods. Katie Burns shares information from various sources for controlling chronic kidney disease in cats. Diagnostics and treatments have improved and … [Read more...]
Environmental decontamination important to control ringworm
Dermatophytosis affects adoptable populations of animals, primarily puppies and kittens, writes Alison Diesel, DVM, DACVD. She shares results from a retrospective study of feline foster homes including cleaning processes for the location and multimodal therapies for the cats. Source: Clinician’s Brief, September 2020. Link. Positive Wood’s lamp fluorescence results will only … [Read more...]
Pet food modernization still a work in progress
Lindsay Beaton shares what is, what is being proposed and where confusion exists in the efforts to update pet food labeling. The idea of simplifying things for pet food customers is constantly evolving in the industry. Making it easier to understand pet nutrition has been a consistent demand heard from advocacy groups, veterinarians, customers and pet … [Read more...]
Understanding the Velcro dog
The author provides a series of reasons dogs might follow the owner all over as if stuck to them. Whether attention-getting or separation anxiety, it is important to understand these behaviors have a purpose. Source: Puppies and Pooches, January 15, 2021. Link. INSIGHTS: This is good information to share on social media or in newsletters for dog owners. Be sure to include … [Read more...]
National Pet ID Week kicks off Saturday
National Pet ID week starts Saturday and runs through Friday, April 23. This event helps owners make sure their pets’ identification is up to date. Collar tags and microchips offer the best chances for pets to be returned to their owners if they get separated, according to the ASPCA. Source: National Band and Tag Company, Link. Vets recommend every pet owner prepare for a … [Read more...]
Handling angry clients
Handling angry clients is less of a science and more of an art form, writes Jamie Rauscher, RVT. It takes thick skin and years of experience to master. She reminds us to identify and address the problem and also to consider the source. Source: Today’s Veterinary Nurse, Spring 2021. Link. INSIGHTS: Rausher provides good guidance for facing angry clients. It is important to … [Read more...]
Border Collies are wonderful dogs, but they make poor CEOs
Todd Ordal uses sheep dogs nipping at heels as a poor example of leadership. Sheep require constant nipping, he says. And the only people who’ll work for a Border Collie for an extended period are sheep! Running to-and-fro and nipping at heels (OK, barking orders) creates a lot of movement, but it’s mostly wasted movement. And the moment the barking stops, all hell breaks … [Read more...]
Buzz On B2B: Email is tops for acquisition and retention
Email remains the top tool for retention and acquisition in B2B, but search may be coming up on the inside, judging by MeritB2B’s Q1 2021 Marketing Trends Report. Ray Schultz presents trends and shifts in business communications. Source: Media Post, April 7, 2021. Link. The focus is always on audience, and email is a proven vehicle for optimized messaging to highly … [Read more...]
Survey says more than 800 hours a year cleaning up after pets
Complimentary Content A new study conducted on behalf of Trane Heating and Air Conditioning examined the great lengths to which pet owners will go to keep a clean and healthy environment while caring for their pets. The study results shows various facts about the impact of cleaning, in-home relationships and owner wellness. Source: SWNS digital, April 8, 2021. Link. News … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – April 8, 2021
How we treat animals will inform our future with robots Source: One Zero, April 1, 2021. Link. Author Kate Darling from MIT Media Lab believes that as humanlike robots become more advanced and more deeply integrated into society, we should be wary of people becoming accustomed to mistreating them. Diagnosis of the diagnostics in … [Read more...]
Virtual fencing technology to intensively graze lactating dairy cattle, really?
Grazed pasture is generally the most cost-effective nutrient source in pasture-based dairy systems. A recent study compared traditional electric fence to GPS technology connected to cow collars. The objective was to measure the technology efficacy and pasture use outcomes. Source: Journal of Dairy Science, April 1, 2021. Link. Overall, this study demonstrated a successful … [Read more...]
New PRRS 1-4-4 L1C variant deserves vigilance, preparations
PRRS has been challenging swine producers for nearly 35 years. In late 2020, a variant strain surfaced from the PRRS 1-4-4 L1C lineage. It can be extremely virulent, although not the only variant strain circulating in swine herds. We’re sharing articles with different perspectives about the significance of this variant. It is clear, however, that biosecurity protocols at … [Read more...]
Calf Care & Quality Assurance program launched
The Calf Care & Quality Assurance program is a new program to help ensure optimal calf health and welfare. The program provides a framework that will serve as great resource for anyone working in the calf-raising industry. The CCQA program not only exists to support calf raisers, but it helps the consumer understand the attention given to calves, as well. Ultimately, the … [Read more...]
The rise of reptiles and what it means for veterinary medicine
Mike Corcoran, DVM, DABVP, CertAqV, says the number of reptiles as pets has more than doubled since 2007. The pet trade is marketing more products to reptile owners directed at enrichment and the human-animal bond. He expects veterinarians will see reptiles more frequently as their owners seek diagnostics and treatments recommended for their pets. Source: Pet Vet Magazine, … [Read more...]
The best dog names of 2021. 500 names by category.
This article contains around 500 name ideas for dogs. It offers essential guidelines for naming a dog. The names are categorized by:Source: Puppies and Pooches, February 4, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
April 11-17 is National Dog Bite Prevention Week
There are an estimated 77 million dogs living in U.S. households and millions of people are bitten by dogs every year. Most, if not all, of these bites are preventable. The American Veterinary Medical Association has assembled worthwhile tips for observing National Dog Bite Preparedness Week® and tools for bringing dog bite prevention education to clinics and … [Read more...]