Karen Primm, DVM, shares her recommendations for new kittens for a fun and happy home life after she’s covered the basics for the medical side. A hide-able, grazing-bowl-free option A good scratching post, along with a regimen of FELISCRATCH by FELIWAY® <save the couches> A carrier that opens on the top and front Source: FIRSTLINE, June 15, 2018. Link. … [Read more...]
Effect of refrigeration of clinical canine urine samples on quantitative bacterial culture
This study is meaningful to all veterinary teams. A group from Louisiana State University examined the effect of 24 hours of refrigeration on urine samples collected from dogs with signs of urinary tract infection (UTI). From a group of 104 dogs, bacterial growth was identified in 35.6 percent (n = 37), 33.7 percent (35), and 31.7 percent (33) of the immediately processed, … [Read more...]
Geriatric pets have different needs than senior pets
Dogs older than 10 years and cats older than 14 years are considered geriatric, not senior, according to Mary Gardner, DVM. Geriatric pets do not have the same issues as senior pets and need to be treated differently. Educating clients and providing useful tips helps the pet and family members, who usually are frustrated and scared of what lies ahead. Source: Veterinary Team … [Read more...]
AAHA newly accredited practices for May and June
Twenty-three AAHA practice teams completed accreditation since May 15, 2018 to claim the coveted Accredited Practice status. Take a few minutes to view the list to find a practice you call on or where someone you know works. These teams meet the highest standards in veterinary medicine. Give them a call, send a note or email them your congratulations. Source: AAHA Red, June … [Read more...]
Giving feedback is difficult
Why is it so hard to tell our employees (or our spouses and friends, for that matter) that they’re doing something that’s not working and need to change? Most often, we’re worried about the other person’s reaction. What if she gets angry? What if he cries? What if she tells me I’m an idiot? What if he gets super defensive and starts blaming me? Another thing that makes it … [Read more...]
Close the gaps in client communications
Some practices have not realized the significance of the gap between what a veterinarian tells a client and what the client actually hears. “The Opportunity” is a white paper that was written after working with healthcare teams and owners for five years. It offers a survey tool with the same name. <link> The paper includes comprehensive data analysis and encourages … [Read more...]
Keep customers coming back
Lots of money, effort and time go into acquiring customers. But, not nearly enough thought goes into keeping them coming back. Sure, there’s the occasional offer or the “We’ve missed you” discount. All too frequently, we don’t pay attention unless they’re unhappy or turn up missing. Then, we get busy and try to get them back. Source: Hampton Roads Business Journal, June 21, … [Read more...]
Mosquito repellents from DEET to gin and tonic
Protecting animals and humans from mosquito bites is important as the insects can be vectors for multiple diseases. Mosquito repellants can help. Research completed in 2015 and updated in 2017 <link> shows that products containing DEET proved effective and lasted for a relatively long time but there are alternatives too. DEET isn't the only weapon. Products containing … [Read more...]
Newly discovered tick can be managed with existing products
Researchers at Oklahoma State University’s Center for Veterinary Health Sciences recently identified a nymphal longhorn ticket or bush tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis. Susan Little, DVM, PhD, said the finding wasn’t too surprising based on recent reports from New Jersey, Virginia and West Virginia. Source: Oklahoma State University June 21, 2018. Link. Originally from East … [Read more...]
You, Lone Star ticks and allergies in meat eaters
This article falls into the category of “YHTBKM.” Zoya Teirstein writes about the proliferation and migration of the Lone Star tick and risks associated with it, including a meat allergy that can be life-changing. It only takes one bite from a lone star tick for an unsuspecting victim to develop a meat allergy that can last months, years, or even an entire lifetime. Source: … [Read more...]
Modern technology helping to manage smelly pigs
The battle between swine producers and their neighbors over the hog production smells may be getting some new technology beyond tree and bush windbreaks. Electrostatic precipitator technology from commercial industries is being tested at Iowa Select Farms. Source: National Hog Farmer, June 19, 2018. Link. John Stinn, environmental projects manager, says, “the electrostatic … [Read more...]
Latest JAVMA
We’ve linked you to the table of contents for this issue of JAVMA. The following summary is from the JAVMA news segment: Veterinarians, caught in a chronic opioid shortage, are turning to other anesthetics that may be less effective. In other news, the social climate at veterinary colleges is improving overall, but among students, sexism, racism, and homophobia may be … [Read more...]
Heartworm cousin infects women’s face
Here’s another reminder that mosquitoes are risky to humans, wildlife and our domestic animals. Consider sharing this story within your networks to help educate people on the need for assertive mosquito control. Source: The Washington Post, June 19, 2018. Link. The case — and shocking images — were published Thursday in a report titled “Migrating Dirofilaria repens” in the … [Read more...]
Smithsonian exhibit shows viral vulnerability
The “Outbreak: Epidemics in a Connected World” exhibit <link> in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History explains the perfect storm that we’ve brought upon ourselves: The more of the planet humans take over, the more we inadvertently make it a viral paradise, and a dangerous place for us to live. The exhibit shows that our vulnerability to viral infection depends on … [Read more...]
Ticked off: America’s quiet epidemic of tickborne diseases
Animal owners are becoming more aware of their own risks in addition to their animals’ when it comes to ticks and mosquitoes. Sharing this article may help animal owners understand the need for prevention for themselves as well as their animals. Source: Harvard Health Publishing, May 25, 2018. Link. If infections spread by ticks have increased steadily, infections spread by … [Read more...]
Don’t break the chain, the science behind lasting change
Do you remember your New Year’s resolution? Did you keep it? Aytekin Tank writes about how to keep your changes moving forward. He quotes what Jerry Seinfeld once said about his writing work. “Don’t break the chain.” “He said for each day that I do my task of writing, I get to put a big red X over that day. After a few days you’ll have a chain. Just keep at it and the chain … [Read more...]
Opinion: Generation Z; Chasing butterflies
If you spent any time trying to understand millennials, then this article series will bring perspective about the next generation, Gen Z. The series focuses on brand practitioners, but since each of us manages our own brand, some of the information applies to every animal health pro. The authors compare Gen Z metaphorically to a butterfly. Some are in a state of metamorphosis … [Read more...]
Create a motivating environment
At some point, every leader has dealt with a person or worse, a group of people, who has lost motivation. It is frustrating. As much as we’ve been there ourselves, sometimes it’s hard to empathize with others who are disengaged from work and are unproductive as a result. Source: Harvard Business Review, March 22, 2018. Link. Despite these difficulties, it is possible for … [Read more...]
Take way better photos of your cat
Many veterinary hospitals use photographs as part of digital pet records. Pet photography is also widely seen on social media. Photographer Grace Chon offers nine tips that will drastically improve your cat photos. Consider this article for social media posts and as a resource on websites. Source: Modern Cat, June 21, 2018. Link. Your cat, needless to say, is super … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – Pinkeye cofactors reprint
We recently posted a Progressive Dairyman article discussing pinkeye in terms of primary and co-factor infections. Link. The article featured the experiences of Bruce Addison and Austin Springer with Addison Biological Laboratories. it is now available as a one-page reprint that makes it handy to share with beef and dairy producers. Source: Addison Biological Laboratories. … [Read more...]
Remember to vaccinate horses for rabies
It is easy to forget rabies vaccinations for horses, but it is critical to remember. Of the five core diseases for horses, rabies is the deadliest. Horses are nearly four times more likely to contract rabies than dogs. Across the U.S., the majority of horses are not vaccinated for rabies and often have a higher risk of exposure than dogs. Source: AQHA, June 18, 2018. … [Read more...]
Common skin masses in veterinary patients (image gallery)
The phrase "one look is worth a thousand words" is attributed to Frederick R. Barnard. Link. Elizabeth R. May, DVM, DACVD, presents an image gallery of skin masses that proves the old idiom, “a picture is worth 1,000 words.” She prefaces her comments with the following: Although most skin tumors encountered in veterinary patients are benign, malignant tumor types do occur. … [Read more...]
Canine flu risks affected by lifestyle
Southwest Airlines’ tagline, “You’re now free to move about the country,” may represent the reality of canine influenza risks. Catherine Ashe, DVM, shares her perspectives on diagnosing, testing, treatment, transmission and vaccine decisions. She reinforces the AVMA’s lifestyle vaccination designations. Source: Whole Dog Journal, July 2018. Link. Overall, while canine … [Read more...]
Have dog, will travel
To help veterinary professionals protect the health of their patients and their pet communities, the American Heartworm Society (AHS) and the Association of Shelter Veterinarians (ASV) have formulated evidence-based best practices for minimizing transmission of heartworms in relocated dogs, according to Karen S Walsh, LVMT, CFE, CAWA. These recommendations apply regardless of … [Read more...]
Marty Becker, DVM, speaks to fireworks fears
Medication has its place, but it’s not the only tool I recommend to help pets cope with this noisy and often frightening time of year. Here are the tips I recommend to my patients’ owners, and use on my own fearful dog: Get outta town Create a pet cave Strike up the band Hug the fears away Take a chill pill Something in the air Get out the big … [Read more...]
Email is stressful, but not that time consuming
A recent study showed the average professional spends 4.1 hours per day responding to work messages, says Dorie Clark, who undertook a project to determine why email seemed so burdensome. She shares three important lessons learned from the process, which may be valuable as you think about how to make the time you spend on email more efficient: Each “yes” leads to more … [Read more...]
July 2018, Journal of Dairy Science
One of the easiest ways to stay in touch with dairy research is by skimming the Interpretive Summaries section. We’ve linked that section for you. Here are some interesting studies: A role for serotonin in lactation physiology—Where do we go from here?, Link. Comparison of adhesion characteristics of common dairy spore formers and their spores on stainless steel and … [Read more...]
30-year milestone for World Pork Expo in the books
“It’s hard to believe Expo has been around for 30 years,” says Jim Heimerl, NPPC president and producer from Johnstown, Ohio. “Just as the U.S. pork industry has evolved over the years, so too has Expo.” In search of new ideas and solutions for today and tomorrow, more than 20,000 producers, employees and industry professionals attended the 2018 World Pork Expo. Among the … [Read more...]
Study of animal personality, mood to give new welfare insights
AgResearch’s Animal Welfare Team is working to expand the knowledge of livestock behavior, at a time of growing consumer demand for strong welfare standards. Studies like this could be used to compare how animals experience different farming situations and to improve design of production systems. Source: Feedstuffs, June 12, 2018. Link. New research exploring the moods and … [Read more...]
Beef business is marathon, not sprint
BEEF’s annual State of the Industry survey shows that while short- and long-term optimism have diminished, most respondents accept the roller coaster challenges of raising beef. Source: BEEF, June 2018., page 8. Link. When analyzing the responses to the short-term and long-term questions, it becomes a glass-half-full outlook versus a glass-half-empty worldview. Indeed, how … [Read more...]