Sponsored Commercial Content Responding to requests from veterinary clinics, Addison Biological Laboratories announced a new package size for the popular MaxiGuard® Oral Cleansing Wipes. The 10 packs are packaged in a convenient foil pouch < link >. Source: Addison Biological Laboratories, December 14, 2020. Link. There has been consistent, strong demand from … [Read more...]
2020 e-commerce surge carried pet food along for the ride
“One of the driving factors behind the e-commerce growth trends for pet food was the growth of millennial pet owners who were preconditioned to online shopping. The pandemic has taken this storyline and put it on steroids,” according to Tom Elliott citing a new report from Capstone Headwaters. In a related discussion, Fritz Wood, CPA and Vertical Vet's Dr. Ernie Ward … [Read more...]
VVCA unveils Veterinary Telemedicine Regulatory Map
Mark Cushing, JD, and Ali McIntyre, executive director of VVCA, share work done with the Animal Policy Group research team that helped create the most definitive, comprehensive and accurate state-by-state map of all laws and regulations, including COVID guidance from governors, about telemedicine or virtual care. <the map> is a living, breathing tool . . . not just for … [Read more...]
Opportunities, optimism for veterinary hospitals into 2021
Complimentary content from IDEXX Jay Mazelsky, president and CEO at IDEXX, recently shared his thanks and optimism in a LinkedIn post citing important trends from his company’s data insights. “Veterinary hospitals are providing more care for pets,” he said. A recent IDEXX study showed 77 percent of pet owners agreed that taking care of their pet’s health is as important as … [Read more...]
Telemedicine platforms expanding reach to animal owners
Complimentary Commercial Content The rush to meet pet owners in the cloud and expand veterinary virtual care has two new advances this week according to company press releases. whiskerDocs announced they will start telemedicine in four states beginning January 1. VCPR will be established virtually. FirstVet, brings on-demand telehealth to American animal owners’ … [Read more...]
So long, BEEF, Feedstuffs and National Hog Farmer. “It’s been a heckuva ride.”
BEEF, Feedstuffs and National Hog Farmer will suspend print publications with January 2021 issues. Some digital presence of each will remain. We’ve shared plenty of their articles and web postings since Animal Health Digest began and their contributions are appreciated. Source: BEEF, November 25, 2020. Link. By suspend, they mean that BEEF print, along with the print … [Read more...]
Animal welfare through an animal activist’s eyes
Dairy farmers met an activist during a recent Dairy Cattle Welfare Council webinar. Taylor Leach reports on the discussion, including the biggest three concerns from activists’ point of view: Individual calf housing Tie-stall barns Bull calf treatment Source: Dairy Herd Management, December 2, 2020. Link. Being aware of what animal welfare is – that it’s going … [Read more...]
The never-ending parasite dilemma
John Gillam, DVM, discusses parasites in ungulates including types, life cycles, treatments, testing and slowing down resistance. . . . understanding parasite treatment and the worms that can plague cattle is critical to developing healthy herds.” - John Gilliam, DVM Source: High Plains Journal, December 2, 2020. Link. “We actually select those parasite populations for … [Read more...]
Role of veterinarians, nutritionists changing on dairies
University of Kentucky Extension professionals say the role of veterinarians in the dairy industry is everchanging. The size and sophistication of dairies has reduced the hands-on need for exams and treatments. Now veterinarians play an intrinsic role in establishing protocols, especially as they relate to treatments with antibiotics, pain management and training farm employees … [Read more...]
Barn cats need care, too
Sarah Peakheart, DVM, shares tips for caring for barn cats. Her recommendations are especially applicable to cats who are easily handled. Tips related to improving the cats’ environment and safety are also beneficial, even for cats that are more feral. Source: The Bullvine, November 16, 2020. Link. Make plenty of noise before starting up your vehicles or farm equipment, … [Read more...]
50% of dog owners believe their pets have separation anxiety
Commentary To most animal health pros, study results revealed in People will come as no surprise. If anything, the WFH months has increased visibility to issues many pets were already experiencing and now owners want to address the issues. Results from the survey found that 53 percent of dog owners overall and 60 percent of hybrid workers believe that their dogs has … [Read more...]
Hold the emoji and other tips for successful email negotiations
Alena Komaromi shares the benefits of using emails in B2B negotiations. Some of her key points include: Instant access, often by many parties in an organization, which creates transparency Allows a rich diversity of materials to be used as attachments Suitable when gender, age, racial biases or linguistic issues could mar the process Source: INSEAD Knowledge, … [Read more...]
Habits and the Grand Canyon
I am not sure there is a way to adequately prepare yourself to see the Grand Canyon for the first time. But for those who have always lived nearby it is just a fact of life, part of the usual environment. Like a habit. Source: LinkedIn Pulse, November 18, 2020. Link Replacing a bad habit with a good one is not as easy as that sounds, but it is doable. You do not have to be … [Read more...]
Discuss treatment plans to avoid surprises
Emily Shiver, practice manager, CVPM, CCFP, shares proven tips to help present treatment plans and their financial components. Note the physical alignment, transparency, empathy, outcomes and acknowledgement elements she highlights. Presenting treatment plans with empathy and compassion helps to eliminate some of the stress of this delicate discussion. It also potentially … [Read more...]
Pet Business customer loyalty survey results
Results from a 2020 survey of persons using small businesses reinforces the importance of three factors important to boarding, daycare and groomers. These factors are familiar in veterinary surveys and important to consider as the clients are the same. Deliver high-quality service consistently: 62 percent said this is the most important trait Create a personalized … [Read more...]
VVCA Mark Five series compares telemedicine policies: AVMA, AAVSB, and VIC
Continuing his series about the dynamics of telemedicine in the veterinary space, Mark Cushing, JD, compares the policies of three organizations that set guidance for veterinarians. He first reminds us that the VCPR rules were established to create a legal basis for state boards to take disciplinary actions against a practitioner, NOT to protect animals under the care of … [Read more...]
Healthcare community learns about growth of telemedicine in veterinary care
The healthcare community is becoming more aware of the health value of pets for people. In a survey conducted by Xtelligent Healthcare Media, 11 percent of respondents identified pet ownership as a social determinant of health, five percent screen their patients for pet ownership and nine percent partner with organizations within the community to address the ups and downs of … [Read more...]
University of Georgia program teaching vet students about bees
One of the more uncomfortable side challenges with VFD rules remains the required interaction of veterinarians with apiarists when prescription drugs are needed. Dr. Jörg Mayer at the University of Georgia is leading the implementation of a first-of-its-kind program on bee medicine. Mayer recognizes many veterinary students have no relevant experience with some animals and that … [Read more...]
Talkatoo becomes AHD sponsor
Talkatoo, a specialized dictation application that allows for speech-to-text capability, joins the group of sponsors who support our weekly AHD Bulletins and post library. Talkatoo’s capabilities include difficult animal health vocabularies. Animal health pros will find this talk-to-type technology especially useful in easing daily workflows, recordkeeping and … [Read more...]
Top 10 holiday ads: Greenies tops the list
Ace Metrix tracked the spots that are engaging consumers the most this holiday season. Greenies’ animated dog is in the top spot. Dogs made appearances in four of the top 10. Source: Ad Age, December 3, 2020. Link. INSIGHTS: Most of these ads are under 20 seconds. … [Read more...]
Swine vets, producers invited to participate in survey about pig castration pain management
No drugs in the US are approved for castration pain relief in pigs, but veterinarians have options to administer pain-relieving drugs via extra-label methods. Three focus groups conducted at the recent AASV annual meeting identified three factors that influence the use of pain management. They are: Lack of approved pain reliving productions that have been validated for … [Read more...]
Promising new test for Johne’s disease in dairy cattle
The Institute for Global Food Security and School of Biological Sciences at Queen’s University Belfast has developed a new test to detect more infected animals by milk testing than milk-ELISA. This could potentially facilitate control of Johne's disease faster, the university said. As well as bovine milk, the new test can also be applied to feces and blood from … [Read more...]
Steve Dale: Rats! They are everywhere!
Steve Dale helps explain the expanding issues with rats, their propensity to disperse leptospirosis and the priority of protecting dogs with lepto vaccines. Consider sharing his post on social media or in newsletters. Source: Steve Dale Pet World, November 28, 2020. Link. . . . this is the time of year when young rats born just a few months ago are seeking food competing … [Read more...]
Other small pets, an important segment to monitor
Pet ownership beyond cats and dogs may make up a small part of the industry’s focus, but trends in small pets mirror what’s happening in the marketplace. The popularity of reptiles and amphibians within the pet trade is simply on fire right now. . . ” - John Mack. founder and CEO of Reptiles by Mack Source: Petfood Industry, October 2020. Link. INSIGHTS: Watch any two … [Read more...]
Unmet environmental needs are killing cats
The number-1 cause of death for cats is something veterinary teams are not treating nor educating clients about: euthanasia. And the most common reasons for euthanasia in cats is behavior problems. Sadly, these are problems animal health pros understand, know why the behaviors happen and what cats need to minimize or eliminate them. Liz Bales, DVM, issues a call to action … [Read more...]
Dr. Jen discusses what to know about dog flu
Complimentary video content Jenifer Chatfield, DVM, Dipl. ACZM, Dipl. ACVPM, talks influenza in the latest video edition of Is This a Thing? With flu season upon us, she reviews all the influenzas, their origins, the interesting creatures that get flu and how they ALL fit together. Source: Dr. Jen the Vet, You Tube, November 25, 2020. Link. If your dog has not been … [Read more...]
73 percent of pandemic adoptions at risk to be surrendered
Sound the alarms and call in the techs! A recent survey of new dog owners conducted by Merck Animal Health found 73 percent of those who brought home a pooch this year are considering rehoming the animal once the pandemic ends. This decision, Merck says, likely stems from a lack of knowledge about animal care. 25 percent of respondents claimed they do not have enough … [Read more...]
Manage change proactively in veterinary practices
Complimentary Commercial Content from Covetrus Software Services, North America Covetrus has created a how-to resource to help teams transform with the rapidly changes in today’s veterinary climate. Navigating What's Next: How to Manage Change in Your Veterinary Practice, offers tips and insights that will help you: Recognize the need for change and identify the signs … [Read more...]
Zoetis CEO Kristen Peck named Businessperson of the Year 2020
Kudos to Kristen Peck for being recognized as one of Fortune’s top 20 businesspersons of the year. She and her teams helped Zoetis grow profits nearly 14 percent over the past 12 months. The company’s stock, meanwhile, has gained roughly 26 percent year to date, far outpacing the S&P 500. Source: Fortune, November 30, 3030. Link to Peck overview. To create the annual … [Read more...]
Who’s watching the kids?
Commentary Two articles and Thanksgiving experiences prompt this post. Whether rural, urban or suburban, parents are taxed. The effects of changing school schedules, daycare limitations, restrictions on gatherings and physical distancing play out in family lives and at work. Virtual care helps, but only goes so far. Even with optimum resources, parents are stressed to know … [Read more...]