Several factors, including medications, supplements, plants, mold and insects, can trigger hives, with a warm and wet climate often making them worse writes Aja Harvey, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM. Coincidental or not, hives and most other diseases involving the skin are more common during the warmer and more humid months. . . . even the most well-maintained properties are never free of … [Read more...]
Spring health check for senior horses
EQUUS editors share five areas to focus on when doing spring health checks for senior horses: coat, joints, teeth, body condition and feet. Consider sharing this article on social media and in newsletters to remind horse owners to check on their senior horses. Source: EQUUS, April 24, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
A poor guide to dog allergy medications
Commentary In the article linked here, Jennifer Bailey, DVM, shares what medications can be given to a dog to relieve allergy symptoms. The article is a red flag for our team because it empowers pet owners to use the information to medicate their dogs outside of the veterinary-client relationship. Given the many possible reasons for allergies, the article fails to … [Read more...]
A dog walk temperature chart for every season
Commentary Our temperatures in the Kansas City area reached the upper 80s last weekend. The changes in neighborhood dog behaviors were noticeable as they sought shade and were less active on walks. Beyond the normal concerns about dogs shut in cars and hot pavement burning pads, our recent post about the thermoneutral zone for cattle <Link> sparked digging to find such … [Read more...]
Advocacy from Veterinary teams helps pet owners choose pet insurance
Sponsored Content For veterinary teams, pet insurance is a part of meeting the needs of today’s animal owners. A 2022 survey of veterinary professionals revealed: More than 90 percent of veterinary teams wish more of their clients had pet insurance. 2 percent of veterinary teams believe that pet insurance is a beneficial way to help clients manage the lifetime cost … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – May 20, 2024
Surprising pet hotel statistics, millennials want vets with apps, new age of pet tech, scaling small businesses, women in the pet industry, tips to maintain cash flow and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, May 20, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Get team members to participate in team meetings
Beyond the traditional meeting agendas, setting expectations and open-ended questions, Luis Velasquez shares ways leaders can make it safe for team members to engage in and contribute to meeting discussions. Source: Harvard Business Review, May 20, 2024. Link. As leaders, we must cultivate teams where every member’s contributions are not only heard but eagerly anticipated, … [Read more...]
Continuous improvement
The moral of the story is if something worked yesterday, that doesn’t mean it’s the best thing to do today. Look at every interaction point a customer has with your organization and ask, “Is there a way to make it better?” Source: Vet Advantage, April 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: Always look for improvement. … [Read more...]
Microchip check station for lost pets (video)
What a great idea! The All Dogs Clinic in Rogers, Arkansas, now has a 24/7 microchip check station available on the outside of its building for anyone to use. Source: KNWA/KFTA, May 16, 2024. Link. (0:51) … [Read more...]
Compare margins and markups to ensure a healthy pharmacy in your practice
Acknowledging the importance of margin and markup pricing, Rachel Singletary, CVPM, shares the basics of when to use each method, how the PIMS systems are involved and meeting the market prices. It is important to remember: Markup is a cost-based calculation to determine price Margin is a price-based equation that includes a percentage objective against COGS … [Read more...]
Price Pritchett shares the importance of cutting down on negative thinking (video)
The author of several books on multiplying personal performance, Price Pritchett, PhD, is an expert on fast-growth strategies and breakthrough performance. He joined Lewis Holmes to discuss the question, “Which do you think is more important . . . positive thinking or negative thinking?” “The studies are unequivocal . . . it’s less negative thinking.” Source: Lewis Holmes … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – May 16, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, May 9, 2024. Link. Most read post(s) from the May 9th AHD Bulletin – Advances in equine disease detection. Link. Differentiating mastitis from teat sealant residue at freshening. Link. Temple Grandin, PhD, joins Fear Free as director, animal well-being. Link. … [Read more...]
What do your customers value?
In most parts of the U.S. your potential customers have multiple clinics to choose from. So how do you differentiate your practice from others? Source: Vet Advantage, May 2023. Link. <BQ> “The same advice I gave distribution reps who are calling on your practice will work to create connections for the potential customers of your clinic.” INSIGHTS: It’s all … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club seeking nominees for Bright Minds award in U.K and Singapore
Announcing the inaugural Bright Minds Singapore award and its second annual Bright Minds U.K. Award The Bridge Club is seeking nominees in three categories: Industry Influencer Practice Game Changer Wellness Champion Source: The Bridge Club, May 15, 2024. Link. Since the inaugural Bright Minds Awards in 2018 more than 16 professionals and organizations have been … [Read more...]
Seats still available for hands-on Veterinary CE at the NAVC Institute
Space is available in Strategic Leadership, Orthopedic Surgery, Ultrasound Intermediate, and Advanced and General Ophthalmology during the May 20-24, 2024 NAVC Institute in Orlando, Florida at The Caribe Royale Resort. Small class sizes allow for immersive, personalized instruction. Source: NAVC. Link. The hands-on training and skills veterinarians and veterinary … [Read more...]
CDC finalizes dog import rule to prevent rabies
All dogs coming into the U.S. from other countries must be at least six months old and microchipped to help prevent the spread of rabies, according to new government rules. The updated rules apply to dogs brought in by breeders or rescue groups, as well as pets traveling with their U.S. owners. All dogs coming into the U.S. from other countries must be at least six months … [Read more...]
Cheese by-product turned into plastic
Say what? Researchers at UC-Davis have developed yet another use for dairy products. They discovered polyhydroxyalkanoates can be made at a low cost from dairy byproducts and used in a wide range of applications, such as films, rigid packaging and single-use items like straws, utensils, compostable bags, cosmetics and biomedicine. Previously expensive and in short supply, the … [Read more...]
Heat abatement important for calves
Holstein heifer calf prices are reported at double to triple their values from a year ago <Link> as well as being in short supply. Optimizing their growth and development is critical to future potential, lifetime production and health. As warmer temperatures approach, investing in heat abatement is good business. Similar to mature cattle, calves have a thermoneutral … [Read more...]
2024 Global Hog Industry Virtual Conference set for May 22nd
National Hog Farmer's sixth annual Global Hog Industry Virtual Conference is scheduled for May 22 10:00 a.m. CDT. Topic themes will focus on policy, performance and profitability. New to this year’s conference is The National Hog Farmers' New Product Tour competition. Register here for this FREE educational event and to interact with the speakers on event day <Link>. … [Read more...]
Farm dogs play many roles
The celebration of farm dogs in recent years <Link> has brought more focus to the health of pets on acreages and farms. Whether working dogs or companions, these animals encounter environmental risks from domestic and wild animals, some of which are One Health concerns. This recording and article feature farm dogs and the importance of getting regular veterinary care for … [Read more...]
Diagnosing benzimidazole-resistant hookworms
Includes Commercial Content Multi-anthelmintic, drug-resistant hookworms is now recognized as more far-reaching in terms of geography locations and breeds of dogs, shares Emily Singler, VMD. MADR hookworms are a concern because they can wreak havoc on companion animals and farm animals, as well as humans. Singler shares Keyscreen, a test created and offered by Antech … [Read more...]
Benefits of insect-based pet food beyond nutrition
Tim Wall shares seven benefits pets derive from insect proteins and oils. He says black soldier fly larvae, crickets, mealworms and other species benefit pet health in various ways including: the gut microbiome allergy relief weight management Source: PETFOOD Industry, May 9, 2024. Link. Also see: Ÿnsect mealworm protein for dog food authorized in US, PETFOOD … [Read more...]
Research explores nutrition paradox between pet parent intentions, realities
Includes Commercial Content The results of a research survey found a major discrepancy between what dog owners believe to be beneficial for their pets and the actual practices they implement, especially when it comes to nutrition. Despite high confidence in supporting their dogs' health, there's a significant gap between perception and reality, including a lack of … [Read more...]
Fresh pet food market in flux
The fresh pet food market is evolving rapidly. David Lummis’ article will be interesting for students of the explosion of pet food options. E-commerce is projected to increase its share of overall pet food sales to about two-fifths in 2028. The share will likely be closer to two-thirds for fresh pet food. Source: Pet Product News, May 2024. Link. Closing in on $3 billion at … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – May 13, 2024
Keys to success for pet stores, VMG’s new dashboard, where cannabis is working, poverty and pets, another celebrity brand, advertising in 2024 and more . . . Approximately 20 million pets in the U.S. experience poverty with their families and 70 percent have never seen a veterinarian.” – Harris Poll survey Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, May 13, 2024. Link. Recently updated IBPSA … [Read more...]
Start treating your words like Lego blocks
Words are like Legos. You can assemble them in a nearly infinite number of ways. Start thinking about words as building blocks of great conversations, writes Art Petty. Every workplace and career problem has a communication issue close to the core. We all have the same building blocks . . . some people are better builders.” Source: ArtPetty, May 1, 2024. Link. Each of us has … [Read more...]
AAHA hosting free mentorship workshop for veterinary professionals
Focusing on mentorship, this FREE workshop is open to all practices, including those not accredited by AAHA. Join industry experts James Desir, DVM, and Alyssa Mages, CVT, for this workshop designed to empower veterinarians, CrVTs, veterinary assistants, CSRs, practice managers and anyone committed to fostering a positive, inclusive and supportive culture within their … [Read more...]
Report shows dermatitis, gastroenteritis among top reasons for veterinary visits
Annual claims reports help bring awareness to pet owners about common pet conditions and the costs to treat them. Gastroenteritis, degenerative arthritis and dental disease rank high for cats and dogs alike, according to data shared by Nationwide’s Jules Benson, BVSc, MRCVS. Source: Veterinary Practice News, April 18, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – May 9, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, May 2, 2024. Link. Most read post(s) from the May 2nd AHD Bulletin – Why vet bills are so high. Link. 7 cleaning tips about washing pet toys. Link. AHD’s archives offer a quick way to see posts by month, see what you missed. Archives for April 2024. … [Read more...]
First of its kind veterinary of record program seeks to improve access to care
Shelters United is a group purchasing organization that allows animal welfare groups to purchase animal care supplies and products at discounted prices. Rescue organizations rely on a veterinarian of record to provide care for pets awaiting adoption and to purchase necessary prescription medications. Since no VOR model exists to help veterinarians and rescue organizations … [Read more...]