More than half of cats are overweight and 25 percent are obese, according to this article. The author shares cat breeds and their tendencies to be thin or overweight. There’s also information about how much to feed cats and conditions that cause weight gains or losses. Source: Animaltalk Magazine, January 15, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: Cat owners are known to devour cat … [Read more...]
Purina unveils 2024 Pet Care Innovation Prize winners
Pet care startups from the U.S., Canada and Australia have been named finalists for the eighth annual Pet Care Innovation Prize powered by Purina. The first round winners brought innovations across the spectrum of pet care products and services including pet enrichment toys; a toothbrush designed specifically for a cat’s anatomy; alternative protein and allergy-friendly pet … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – January 15, 2024
OSHA log reminder, PetSmart evolving employee engagement, PR and AI for small business, rural area volunteers, meeting changes as a small business, grooming growth supported by brands and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, January 15, 2024. Link. Also see: IBPSA addresses new canine respiratory illness, IBPSA, January 16, 2024. Link. To prevent infected dogs from … [Read more...]
Leadership or sales tactics
The most successful sales reps use leadership skills instead of typical sales tactics to achieve and maintain their level of success. Remember that everyone is a customer.” – Patrick T. Malone Source: Vet Advantage, December 2023. Link. Giving your customers permission to complain creates a comfortable relationship that leads to a sustainable competitive … [Read more...]
How much automation is too much?
Commentary Self-service phone options offer streamlining for businesses and customers. BUT, when these options require multiple prompts, take two minutes or more and end without the ability to talk to a human, the customer service experience suffers. Digitization provides important advancements in providing better veterinary medicine and patient outcomes, but animal owners … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – January 11, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, January 4, 2024. Link. Most read post(s) from the January 4th AHD Bulletin – Will we be ready? Introducing Gen Alpha. Link. Cat takes exception to coyotes attacking the family dog (video). Link. Communication – a critical skill for success. Link. … [Read more...]
Your best shot at preventing calf scours
A cow’s nutritional status during the last trimester of gestation impacts critical factors, such as immune response to scour vaccines, quantity and quality of colostrum, level of antibodies in colostrum and her and the calf’s health and survival after birth, writes Kevin Cain, DVM. Ensuring cows receive key trace minerals prior to calving is necessary to support colostrum … [Read more...]
Beef on dairy, the perfect cross
The average number of milk cows for the nation's total dairy herd remains level <Link>. To produce milk a cow must have a calf whether the calf is desired or not. So, dairy producers eager to create a valuable calf have the beef-on-dairy revolution booming. These crossbred animals are making a considerable contribution to meat cases, thereby driving research on producing … [Read more...]
Veterinarians listed 2nd of 9 top investments to grow cattle profits in 2024
Beef prices are predicted to remain strong in 2024 providing opportunities for producers to make proactive investments in their operations. We’re sharing this article since spending money with veterinarians ranks second in Mindy Ward’s top investments listing. Veterinary teams that understand how producer investments make farm businesses more resilient and profitable become … [Read more...]
AHS resource for heartworm prevention
Animal health pros need to keep beating the drums about preventing heartworm. Prevention nonadherence remains prevalent in the U.S. The incidence of heartworm disease has continued to rise in previously known hot spots, but also in unexpected locations with previously low heartworm rates <Link>. Short articles like this one from the American Heartworm Society make good … [Read more...]
Benefits of colostrum for dogs
Includes product reference Colostrum is most often used to help dogs with allergies, but it has other benefits, too.The author lists 14 different uses for colostrum including: Repairing gut damage from pharmaceuticals Improving immune systems Preventing upper respiratory diseases and the canine flu Source: Modern Dog, January 4, 2024. Link. Bovine colostrum … [Read more...]
ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance wants to hear from you
The ASPCA Pet Health Insurance team is looking forward to different conversations at the upcoming 2024 VMX. Stop by booth #1311 and share the discussions you are having with dog, cat and horse owners about pet insurance. Ask about the various tools available to support those important discussions. The expectations clients have of veterinary services continue to evolve making … [Read more...]
Advancing oral care at home, COHAT in the veterinary hospital
Attention VMX attendees! Visit booth #1416 to learn about new advancements in veterinary dental diagnostics. Addison Biological Laboratories is hosting D.A.V.I.D. X-Ray in their booth to introduce it to the veterinary community. Learn about an AI tool that helps veterinary teams read a dental radiograph or photo with the accuracy of a board-certified veterinary … [Read more...]
Kicking off the new year with pet insurance (podcast)
Ricky Walthers, DVM, chief medical officer at Pawlicy Advisor, discusses trends and misconceptions surrounding pet insurance and how veterinary teams can educate clients about pet insurance to help them better understand the importance of having it. . . . only about 3 percent of U.S. pet owners have pet insurance . . .” Source: The Vet Blast Podcast, January 3, 2024. Link. A … [Read more...]
Petfood industry, a lot on its mind going into New Year
Health and wellness, e-commerce and sustainability were identified as top of mind by Lindsay Beaton. We noted the mention of prevention in the treats and supplements category. Source: PETFOOD Industry, January 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – January 8, 2024
State of pet nutrition, embracing uncertainty, productivity killers, employee bonus programs for small business and more. . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, January 8, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Groomers can play important role in skin and coat care
Groomers who increase their understanding of skin and coat care can develop more pivotal roles in caring for the integumentary system which includes the epidermis, dermis, hypodermis, associated glands, hair, and nails. Jennifer Bishop Jenkins shares perspectives on communication with local veterinarians, advancing education and bridging some of the gaps in pet care … [Read more...]
10 Trends to watch in 2024
Harvard Business School faculty share insights from their research about business trends companies are expected to face in 2024. They offer advice about how managers and their employees can navigate challenges and opportunities this year. Source: Harvard Business School, Working Knowledge, January 2, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Guide to monthly communication ideas to engage and attract clients
Complimentary Content Lifelearn Animal Health offers for a limited time the free Ultimate 2024 Marketing Communication Strategies Inspiration Guide to help practices target communications and support practice marketing. It provides timely, engaging and fun ideas, along with examples to consider each month to help: Keep clients engaged all year long Make your job … [Read more...]
MWI Animal Health, Hound announce strategic partnership
Complimentary Commercial Content MWI Animal Health provides services and technology solutions for veterinary practices, and part of Cencora (formerly AmerisourceBergen) announced a strategic partnership with Hound, a leading veterinary talent platform. The partnership strengthens MWI Animal Health and Hound’s shared vision to provide the technology and tools necessary for … [Read more...]
22 team-building activities and games for 2024
While they tend to get a bad rap, the right kinds of team-building exercises can bring people closer together, help teams work more effectively and identify strengths in individuals. Not all team-building exercises need to elicit mandatory extroversion.” – Anonymous Source: the muse, December 14, 2023. Link. Team building doesn’t have to be an all-day affair. In fact, taking … [Read more...]
How to attract and retain older workers
With not enough new workers to replace those who are leaving, employers are taking a more serious look at retaining and attracting older workers, writes Kate Rockwood. By 2030, an estimated 150 million jobs globally will have shifted to workers older than 55. So, companies must look to mature job seekers to solve their labor needs to survive and thrive from now into the future. … [Read more...]
Understanding active listening and distractions
Commentary With all the distractions of checking personal devices, social media and other interruptions it's a wonder any work gets done at all. Consider these articles as you head into meetings and travel to VMX. Active listening involves mastering a host of other skills, writes Amy Gallo. It includes reading body language and tone of voice, maintaining your attention, … [Read more...]
New livestock drug rules collide with rural vet shortages
The medical importance of GFI 263 is clear, despite large animal veterinary shortages, the required VCPRs and producer expectations. <GFI 263> puts pressure on both sides . . . to do things differently. The driving factor is that by working through GFI 263 together, both producers and veterinarians are doing their best for animals and humans in preventing antimicrobial … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – January 4, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, December 28, 2023. Link. A review of 2023’s highly viewed posts in 13 categories. Most read posts in 2023, all categories – Don’t be afraid to ask the sensitive questions. Link. Study: PRP gel accelerates skin wound healing in horses. Link. How to deal with an angry … [Read more...]
Proper vaccination at the right time increases calf welfare and value
Administering appropriate respiratory vaccines before sale and commingling is crucial for providing immunity during the stocker and feedlot stages of the beef supply chain. Summarizing research on beef calf preconditioning programs, Paul Vining says proper vaccination against BRD-related pathogens during calfhood establishes robust immunity. This enhances calf welfare and … [Read more...]
Bute versus Banamine® (flunixin meglumine injection)
Jillian Sinclair shares an educational infographic to explain the differences between these non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs commonly used to reduce inflammation and pain in horses. Share the article on social media or in newsletters to help horse owners realize the differences between the two. Source: Horse and Rider, December 21, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Weather, horses, equine risk and disease
Weather, weather patterns and weather events all can contribute to potential disease in horses, writes SallyAnne L. DeNotta, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM. Consider this article for social media or newsletters as content to promote vaccination, disaster planning and other preventatives. Source: The Horse, January 2, 2024. Link. Related: 14 ways to get ready for winter, EQUUS, … [Read more...]
Comparing wearable tech for canines
Includes Commercial Content There are so many functions and features available in various combinations of wearable tech for dogs that it’s hard to know what’s what, writes Stephanie Coleman. Her team organized a table to help you compare products and establish the priority features dog owners may need or want in a smart dog collar. Source: Whole Dog Journal, December 25, … [Read more...]
Breaking dogs’ barking habits (video)
There are many reasons dogs bark and it is unrealistic to expect one to stop barking altogether. The video shares ways to reasonably reduce barking and help dogs learn to bark less. It is worthy of sharing on social media or in newsletters. Adding a message about consistency in commands among family members, daycare and dog sitters is important to avoid confusing the … [Read more...]