Keeping with the paradigms of business process measurement, a team of researchers compared Cat Friendly Practices with non-CFP control practices to determine whether CFPs had an increased proportion of clinical visits, number of visits per cat per year and inclusion of diagnostic testing. The results are compelling and support the CFP disciplines. The average revenue per … [Read more...]
Wallet share is growing in Chewy’s autoship customer segment. Yes, wallet share!
Commentary The paradox of pet owner spending remains perplexing. However, Chewy’s successes show the convenience of sourcing a wide range of inventory online and a growing comfort with the services. On one hand, nearly two-thirds of pet owners say inflation has made it more difficult to pay a surprise vet bill and they’re nervous about rising prices of vet costs, … [Read more...]
Forbes list of the world’s most powerful women
The Forbes 2023 Power List was determined by four main metrics: money, media, impact and spheres of influence. It includes political leaders, the heads of major companies and more. Each of these 100 women are helping to shape the policies, products and political fights that define our world. Barbie is 100th on the list. Source: Forbes, December 5, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – December 7, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, November 30, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from the November 30th AHD Bulletin – Washers and dryers require more frequent cleaning than you think. Link. Be curious. Link. What scents are dangerous to cats and dogs? Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy … [Read more...]
Milking robots increase management effectiveness
Ninety percent of the time when I’m working with farms, their challenges are not robot-related, writes Andy Lenkaitis, despite perceptions that dairy workers will lose knowledge of the individual cows. Robots deliver a consistent milking experience for the cow, offer more schedule flexibility and help dairymen focus on being a cow person again.” Source: AG Proud, September 5, … [Read more...]
Pros, cons of using darts in cattle management
While pneumatic darts can be helpful in some settings, Rhonda Brooks’ article shares the reasons why darts are not chosen by producers or veterinarians. She provides a good review of dart use, benefits and risks worthy of review by animal health pros and their clients. Source: Drovers, November 30, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
An expert’s view on calming products for horses
Horse owners can choose from several types of products formulated to help calm horses. Animal behaviorist Bonnie Beaver, DVM, DACVB, DACAW, discusses feed supplements, pheromones and aromatherapies marketed to promote calmness in horses. She emphasizes the need for caution and veterinarian counsel. Source: EQUUS, July 12, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
One third of dogs have a behavior issue, study shows
Zazie Todd, PhD, shares results from a Danish study suggesting we need to pay more attention to behavior issues in dogs. The most common issues were related to fear and disobedience, which included jumping up, barking and not coming when called. Aggression was reported less often in this study than in other studies and was typified by actions toward other dogs, not … [Read more...]
Cold weather nutrition for hard-working dogs
Includes Commercial Content One thing often overlooked in the gun dog care equation is cold-weather nutrition. Working farm dogs experience similar needs. Top-quality dog food plays an important role in fueling performance and in fueling warmth and can’t be understated during cold weather. Seth Bynum, DVM, shares perspectives on the Purina Body Condition System to help … [Read more...]
Weese: Paxlovid use in dogs? No evidence, many concerns.
Scott Weese, DVM, responded quickly to media rumors about Paxlovid used to cure a dog with respiratory disease. Paxlovid is an antiviral that we know basically nothing about in dogs. We don’t have dosing or safety info, don’t have evidence that the respiratory disease we’re encountering in dogs is caused by a virus that’s susceptible to Paxlovid. So, I don’t see its use being … [Read more...]
The average pet owner has 72 “pet panics” per year
A survey of pet owners revealed respondents worry about their pet’s well-being an average of three times per day, and they spend about five hours away from their four-legged friend on any given day. The most common pet panics were revealed to be throwing up unexpectedly, falling off a chair or couch, or slipping out of their leash outside. Almost two in five admit they lose … [Read more...]
PACCC to host canine respiratory webinar featuring Dr. Jen the Vet
Jenifer Chatfield, DVM Dipl. ACZM, Dipl. ACVPM, will discuss the latest on canine upper respiratory infections, a case-based exploration of CIRDC and share some little-known pearls of information to help animal care pros better address those pesky coughs and educate pet parents. Live webinar, Thursday, December 9, 2023. 8:00 p.m. EST. Register <Link>. This webinar has … [Read more...]
Oral health opportunities for groomers and pet care pros
Commentary with references to sponsored content Oral health is one example of where groomers can have a significant positive impact, writes Kara Burns, MS, MEd, LVT VTS. We agree. In addition to groomers, boarding and daycare personnel have increased access to pets and pet owners to educate and reinforce the importance of regular oral care. Many progressive pet care pros now … [Read more...]
Collars remain crucial for dogs and cats
Carly Fox, DVM, offers good advice on the importance of collars and collar identification. Pet parents might believe that with the prevalence of microchips, their animals don’t need a collar but animals that wear them are typically perceived as being owned. Information on the collar makes contacting the owner easier than finding someone to read a chip. Source: Inverse, via … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – December 4, 2023
Rover purchased by Blackstone, pet brain surgery may be an area of development, mind mapping, Veterinarians without Borders expands brand to include North America, actress Linda Blair’s efforts to save dogs, customer lifecycle automation, separation anxiety in pets and people, Purina’s grants for more human-animal bond research and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, … [Read more...]
Responding to upsetting emails
How you respond to unsettling emails speaks volumes about your maturity, emotional intelligence and business savvy, writes Elizabeth Danziger. She shares a five-step process to follow to plan a reply beginning with avoiding taking it personally and delaying an immediate response. Source: HBR Ascend, November 29, 2023. Link. INSIGHTS: Danzinger’s process would make a good … [Read more...]
Pay attention to others. They’re not thinking of you.
We all spend way too much time stewing about what other people are thinking about us — when they're not thinking about us at all. Source: AXIOS, November 16, 2023. Link. …paying attention to others is very different from worrying about what others think about you.” INSIGHT: You are not as bad as some say nor are you as good as others say. … [Read more...]
Lapsing client numbers increasing
ICYMI. Lapsing patients, defined as patients who haven’t been to a veterinary practice in 14 to 18 months, increased significantly per practice between January 2020 and July 2023. Rising overall prices, housing costs and interest rates have resulted in lower consumer confidence which may be reasons pet owners are delaying veterinary health care. Findings from the forthcoming … [Read more...]
Stop assuming introverts aren’t passionate about work
Introverts are equally capable of experiencing passion as extroverts, they just express it differently. The authors of new research found that regardless of their actual level of passion, extroverted employees are perceived as more passionate than introverts which often drives substantial inequities in the workplace. Society often assumes that the only way to be passionate is … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – November 30, 2023
Recent posts from AHD’s weekly Bulletins – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, November 2023 archives. Link. Animal Health Digest Bulletin, October 2023 archives. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy Vets. Link. ============================================ Merriam-Webster's word of the year . . . Authentic Source: BBC, November 27, … [Read more...]
KPI alphabet soup: Defining acronyms of high-performance dairies
Chad Jenkins and Mark Hodge share key performance indicators as a quick gauge and to provide clarity to a plethora of dairy data. Acronyms often add to the confusion along with some of the mathematics when talking with dairy producers. Four KPIs that have considerable impact on dairy productivity and profitability are income over feed cost, dollars per pound of dry matter, … [Read more...]
An overview of cannabis for pets
Includes Commercial Content* Ruth Fisher, PhD, covers topics that include the history of cannabis use in veterinary medicine, current laws on cannabis for pets, market size and segment, reported experiences from pet owners and veterinarians, and pet toxicology. The biggest threat cannabis poses for pets appears to be the same as that for children: unwitting consumption of … [Read more...]
Mystery canine respiratory virus has growing footprint
Eleven states have now reported a mystery respiratory illness in dogs <Link>. The mysterious illness was described as an atypical canine infectious respiratory disease that presents similar to kennel cough, but doesn’t respond to normal medication. Plus, the cough lasts longer than the normal seven to 10 days. Source: CNN, November 28, 2023. Link. At least two-hundred … [Read more...]
Holiday gift ideas for pets and professionals
Julia Burke shares ideas and favored items in the pet industry to add to your holiday shopping list from several categories, including health and wellness items. Source: DVM 360, November 24, 2023. Link. Also see: Choosing safe dog toys, AHD, December 21, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
A deep dive into holiday spending trends
While millennials lead in pet ownership, they allocate less money to their pets compared to their counterparts in Generation X and baby boomers, according to BLS data. On average, pet owners plan to allocate $122 for their pets during the 2023 holiday season. The intricacies of the millennial trends, particularly in the context of holiday spending, unveil a nuanced narrative … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – November 27, 2023
The importance of updating business listings, petflation declining, a bit more on the mystery K-9 respiratory illness, groomer helps shelter dogs, small business finance tips and more. . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, November 27, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Be curious
One of the simplest and more effective ways to brighten someone’s day is by asking them a question. Being asked about ourselves and our lives makes us feel listened to, understood, cared for and validated. Source: Axios, November 7, 2023. Link. INSIGHTS: Be interested and others will find you interesting. … [Read more...]
Build relationships with local pharmacies
Using community pharmacies may offer cost and convenience benefits to animal owners, writes Kate Boatwright, VMD. However, many veterinarians resist using external sources for pet medications. The two major factors contributing to this concern include frustrations in communicating with pharmacies and concern for prescription errors. Alternate sources of pet prescriptions are … [Read more...]
Study: More Americans seeking preventive care. Can animal health capitalize on the trend?
Commentary Animal health pros are familiar with the transitions from treatment to prevention that occurred in dentistry <Link>. Driven in part by advancements in technology, a modern general practice dentist is heavily focused on healthy oral care and preventing dental decay. A Health Affairs study indicates human patients are seeking similar care from their primary … [Read more...]
Looking back: most read posts from the November 2022 AHD Bulletins
Most read posts give us a sense of the priorities, problems and pain points animal health pros are experiencing when serving animal owners, their animals and each other. Despite what seems like a heightened sense of urgency, the most read posts from a year ago are grounding and remind us little changes. Animal health remains a repetitive business which benefits from educating … [Read more...]