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...]
Diagonal transmission of West Nile virus
In what amounts to another reason for mosquito population control, a recent study by the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development showed mosquitoes might also transmit WNV to other mosquitoes diagonally through their feces*. Thinking more broadly, the study authors suggest a “potential for diagonal transmission to act as a transmission bridge for … [Read more...]
The AAEP has revised its Internal Parasite Control Guidelines
The much-anticipated revisions to the Internal Parasite Control Guidelines shared in a January post <Link> are now complete. Key take-home messages from these Internal Parasite Disease Control Guidelines are: Perform fecal egg count reduction tests annually to ensure that you are using effective dewormers in every herd or barn. Recognize that no anthelmintic will … [Read more...]
What owners are learning about gapapentin for dogs
Whole Dog Journal republished a pain management and gabapentin article from 2021 this week. Eileen Fatcheric, DVM, shares how gabapentin is used in dogs noting veterinarians are prescribing this it in record numbers, which we shared in a May 2024 post <Link>. Source: Whole Dog Journal, March 25, 2021. Link. INSIGHTS: While this information may seem outdated or … [Read more...]
AAFP’s Intercat Tension Guidelines and what to know
The 2024 American Association of Feline Practitioners Intercat Tension Guidelines dispel 10 popular myths about cat behavior, share five pillars of a healthy multi-cat environment and provide helpful graphics, tools and resources to support practitioners and cat owners. Kristen Green Seymour shares Q and A perspectives from two members of the Intercat Tension Guidelines … [Read more...]
Weese: Perspectives on H5N1 in Colorado cats
Scott Weese, DVM, shares thoughts on Colorado cats diagnosed with avian flu. He advises a focus on infection control, against symptom biases and acknowledges the need for increased surveillance. The risk posed by cats to people and other animals is completely unclear at this time.” Source: Worms and Germs, August 11, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: We noted Weese didn’t mention … [Read more...]
CE Course: Keeping controlled substances under control
Sponsored Content If you manage, dispense, use controlled substances in-clinic or sell them, keeping abreast of the controlled substance regulations, safety steps and potentials for diversion is important. Join presenter Lauren R. Forsythe, PharmD, DICVP, FSVHP, online for a 1-hour Race-approved CE course compliments of ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance. Source: ASPCA® Pet … [Read more...]
5 new trending terms every small business owner should know
Jamie Johnson shares terms and trends that may help business owners better serve customers and capitalize on opportunities others are missing. The terms he says are trending as they are more frequently used in business vernacular are: Blitzscaling Hyperpersonalization Niche marketing Circular economy Micromoments Source: CO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, August … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – August 12, 2024
Inflation busting strategies, benefits of an expense audit, declining pet adoptions, when tech works against you, understanding micro-influencers and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, August 12, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
10 visuals that could transform your mindset (illustration slides)
A post by Rob Dance with illustrations by Pejman Milani caught our eyes. Dance’s comments, along with the slides, are good reminders to consider setbacks, priorities and your personal development. Source: Rob Dance, LinkedIn, August 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Personal transformation through leadership
The best leaders elevate our standards, ethics and performance by creating opportunities for personal transformation. Source: Giant Leap Consulting, July 2024. Link. There is no more powerful influence on the culture of a workplace than the behavior of its leaders. <The best> leaders model then elevate our standards, ethics, and performance by creating opportunities … [Read more...]
Employers budgeting for 3.5 percent pay raises in 2025
Responses to Payscale’s new Salary Budget Survey of compensation professionals in more than 1,500 organizations found they are planning a pay raise average of 3.5 percent, reflecting a cooling labor market. Source: SHRM, August 13, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: More than 60 percent of working adults are animal owners <Link> who will feel the softening raises as much as … [Read more...]
The most expensive pets to own; annual and lifetime costs ranked
Insuranceopedia analyzed online sources and conducted independent research from large pet stores to compare the average costs for food, bedding, toys etc. for each animal segment and calculated an estimated annual cost for each. The cost graphic in the article is revealing, including: Parrots are the most expensive pets to own, largely due to their long lifespan … [Read more...]
TikTok 2024 Shopping Trend Report: “Bending Reality” or something else?
Commentary Today’s TikTok’s trends look like how businesses were valued and sustained in the mid-1900’s without the internet. Today’s digital tools may help with this so-called bending, but this bending seeks traditional values, dependable benefits and reasonable access. It’s a good thing. Source: Small Business Trends, August 12, 2024. Link. We are witnessing an era of … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – August 8, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, August 1, 2024. Link. Most read posts from the August 1st AHD Bulletin – The state of allyship in animal health. Link. Stop chasing vanity metrics. Link. Some change is necessary, some inevitable, stability is critical. Link. The chemistry behind the smell of wet dogs. … [Read more...]
Study: Two, 200mg doses of iron dextran are better than a single dose of 200 mg
Veterinary student Francisco Gomez Cruz’s research project shows a benefit for pigs by doubling the amount of iron dextran given in the first 10 days of life. Other than the low cost of another dose of iron dextran, handling the pigs twice appears to have an overall net weight benefit at the end of the wean-to-finish period. Source: PORK, July 24, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Lab-grown meat approved for UK pet food
The United Kingdom has approved the use of lab-grown meat in pet food. This makes it the first country to legalize the product for this use and the first European country to legalize it for sale for any purpose. The approval was in response to an application by a UK startup called Meatly, making it the first company in the world to receive authorization to sell cultivated pet … [Read more...]
Declining cull cow numbers reflect shift from beef-on-dairy trend
Dairy producers are enjoying the cash flow improvements from the beef-on-dairy market, which is lowering the number of cull cows marketed and increasing the purchases of semen. The beef-on-dairy trend is also challenging the number of replacement dairy heifers available and prioritizing the purchase of gender-sorted dairy semen. Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, August 5, 20234. … [Read more...]
Incorporating BQA into practice
Beef Quality Assurance education and practices remain one of the more important efforts for and by cattle producers. Ongoing support and leadership from veterinarians is vital to continue seeing producer successes and consistent quality beef products. BQA-certified operations are estimated to provide 85 percent of U.S. fed-beef. Julia Herman, DVM, MS, DACVPM, shares the … [Read more...]
Show me the money in pet food
With a nod to Jerry McGuire, we’re sharing Tim Wall’s review of the U.S. pet food companies with $100 million in sales for 2023. The 22 companies combined for almost 40 percent of the $147 billion U.S. pet owners spent on pet food, treats and other products. Source: PETFOOD Industry, August 2, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]