Pet food is not getting cheaper. Many common storage methods are not the best way to ensure pet foods maintain their quality and are safe. Keep your pets food in its original packaging and be sure to properly seal it between feedings to keep it at its freshest. “ Source: Happy Puppy Tips. Link. … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – October 10, 2022
OSHA reminder re: employer responsibilities to protect workers during hurricanes, more pets abandoned and fewer adopted, pet safety during emergencies, exit strategies for small business, concerns about Monkeypox reverse zoonoses to pets, making time for professional development and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, October 10, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
More than 100,000 enter Nature Conservancy’s 2022 Photo Contest
Photos from 196 countries and territories were judged in six categories, including a new one focusing on climate. Friendly lions, thriving lizards and glowing mushrooms appear in winning photos. Photographers worked hard to create incredible imagery but this year they also worked hard on sending a message with their photographs. This took the contest to another level.” - Alex … [Read more...]
Every email needs a clear call to action
You can be straightforward and gracious at the same time when sending emails. Providing call to action dos and don’ts Kat Boogard shares five cut-and-paste templates to use in your emails. Don’t be too general Do include a deadline Don’t forget to say thank you . . . being explicit about what you need can feel a little counterintuitive. We don’t want to seem like … [Read more...]
Short, not shallow
It is self-indulgent to force us to sort through hundreds of words to figure out what you are trying to tell us. Source: AXIOS.com, September 29, 2022. Link. The first sentence of anything you write should include the most essential info, using as few words as possible. INSIGHTS: Think about your audience, not yourself. Editor’s note: This post and others like it should … [Read more...]
Industry stakeholders explain economic dynamics in veterinary clinic market
Vet-Advantage asked industry stakeholders to provide insights on the best economic indicators to monitor, as well as best practices veterinary clinics can implement to weather any economic uncertainty. Forget textbook economics. . . everything is being rewritten these days.” - Matthew Salois, PhD Source: Vet Advantage, October 2022. Link. “Maintaining liquidity is mission … [Read more...]
WHY Animal Health Digest exists
Commentary A recent discussion emphasized the WHY of Animal Health Digest. A semi-retired sales and marketing colleague inquired about writing part-time. As much as this person would like to contribute to AHD, it became apparent the realities of schedules, family and personal care would interfere. Time IS a precious commodity.” Responding to this inquiry I offered, … [Read more...]
Backyard visitors spell RISK for pets, people
Opinion Omnivores for the most part, wild animals are opportunistic eaters. Pet food left or put out for them is akin to a free drive-in restaurant. Yet, their human-provided takeout represents less than 20 percent* of their caloric needs. Foxes, coyotes, raccoons, opossums, squirrels, skunks, deer and rodents are reservoirs for zoonoses and contribute to the number of … [Read more...]
National Vet Technician Week – October 16-22, 2022
Don’t forget to celebrate and promote the valuable contributions veterinary technicians make to the veterinary profession and society. The AVMA and NAVTA have resources available to assist with social media, in-clinic or local media promotion of these important team members. Sources: AVMA. Link NAVTA. Link … [Read more...]
California court rules in favor of USDA’s new swine inspection system
Commentary Animal welfare and food safety questions often involve striking a balance between ethical positions and economic consequences played out in a political context. Whether or not animal health pros are directly involved in livestock production, the actions required in one species often affect other species. It is important to listen, track and understand potential … [Read more...]
Certified swine sample collectors will be key during an FAD outbreak
There are few people authorized to collect and submit diagnostic samples during a foreign animal disease response. A collaborative industry group was formed with funding provided by USDA's National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program to address the shortage. The resources and training requirements developed by a collaborative group will improve the swine … [Read more...]
October is National Pork Month
October is National Pork Month, “Porktober”, marking the time of year when hogs were traditionally marketed, writes Cheryl Day introducing a slide show, Great facts about pork. To celebrate National Pork Month, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service is inviting pork producers, processors and anyone interested in the U.S. pork supply chain to participate in a series of free … [Read more...]
Parasite resistance in cattle, a widespread concern for veterinarians, livestock producers
Parasite resistance in cattle operations has moved from theory to a real-world scenario producers across the country face. Parasite management is no longer applying a dewormer. Today, ranchers must understand the parasites in a herd and learn to live with a few bugs, writes Jennifer Ryan who shares the experiences and perspectives of Christine Navarre, DVM, MS, … [Read more...]
Cushing, The Bridge Club to discuss the latest on veterinary telehealth
Complimentary Content Catch up on the discussion of VCPRs, access to care and staffing shortages, plus get the latest about veterinary telehealth from Mark Cushing, JD. Source: The Bridge Club, October 3, 2022. Link. Be a part of the discussion on Zoom, October 12th, 7:00 p.m. Central time. Free registration required. Register here <Link> … [Read more...]
Industry’s commitment to CE increases value of animal care
Commentary The animal health industry is generous with support resources. Thank you! I’ve lost count of the continuing education credit opportunities offered in the veterinary market. My last look showed 25 new programs were offered in September. This doesn’t include innumerable podcasts and YouTube videos being promoted, nor does it account for myriad free CE programs … [Read more...]
Consumer education critical in retail
Opinion Writing about the need to help pet consumers make product choices, Kathleen Sturgeon notes that CBD and hemp products are now in most pet stores. Despite all the claims, it is hard for pet owners to know which products will help their pets. Helping them understand the science behind the products will help. This also applies to the plethora of items offered in any OTC … [Read more...]
Nationwide seeking votes for 2022 Hambone Award
Nationwide created the Hambone Award to honor the strangest, most hair-raising pet insurance claim of the year. Each story highlighted is meant to exemplify the strength of our pets and their pet parents, and to spotlight the amazing skills of their trusted veterinarians. <the award> is also a way to highlight all the things that can happen—and have happened—and the … [Read more...]
Quality of life exams
“Quality of life exams should be approached as an open, objective conversation,” says Jenifer Chatfield, DVM, Dipl. ACZM, Dipl. ACVPM. “Client owners need to be prepared to answer questions and not anticipate being judged. . . there is no right or wrong outcome, no good or bad news . . . there’s just what comes out of the conversation.” When a pet owner finds themselves being … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – October 3, 2022
Pandemic-era pet ownership boom continues, why the next 10 years of e-commerce will smash the last 10, securing small business grants, securing and optimizing small business technology, quiet quitting, small business loan options and more . . . Congratulations to the IBPSA Pet Care Business Excellence Award winners. Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, October 3, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Risk, revolution and preventive medicine
Preventive veterinary medicine may not be the newest clinical approach, it has surely stood the test of time better than any other, writes Jenifer Chatfield, DVM, Dipl. ACZM, Dipl. ACVPM. She shares the progression of veterinary medicine and the integration of preventive measures which are expanding in the current context. Chatfield urges veterinarians to consider, “putting … [Read more...]
Pandemic? Likely too early to say it is over.
Covid-19 has caused more than one million deaths in the U.S. and 6.5 million deaths worldwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Yet, some want to say the pandemic is over. IDSE editorial advisory board members shared their opinions on the pandemic’s status with Marie Rosenthal, MS. “I don’t know what to call the current period, but it’s not the … [Read more...]
Simmons: Animals are the solution to the world’s problems (video)
Speaking at the 2022 Ag Outlook Forum, Elanco’s Jeffrey Simmons shared his vision for a better future by 2030, environmentally, economically and nutritionally. He believes more sustainable livestock production should be considered as a contributor to solutions, not as a problem. Animals are the connecting link between the three major global issues; the health crisis, food … [Read more...]
U.S. pet insurance market poised to more than double by 2028
The United States Pet Insurance Market is flourishing at a significant growth rate mainly due to the increasing veterinary medical costs, growing consumer awareness, and the widespread use of expensive medical procedures and medications in the country.” – BlueWeave Consulting report Source: Yahoo! finance, September 16, 2022. Link. The U.S. pet insurance market is forecast to … [Read more...]
FDA approves concurrent use of Pennchlor and Rumensin in rations
Producers can now get the benefits of therapeutic applications of chlortetracycline combined with the coccidiosis control and performance results of Rumensin for receiving/starter rations with the late July FDA approval of the combination. This combination approval of Rumensin and Pennchlor gives producers options for their receiving program to optimize productivity,” Sara K. … [Read more...]
Please stop flushing live goldfish down the toilet
Here’s an example where consumer education is needed. Goldfish finding their way into bodies of freshwater, accidentally or on purpose, is no new phenomenon. These fish are not native to North America but come from eastern Asia and have no natural predators here to curb their growth. Goldfish and lots of other things should never be flushed into the sewer systems. Source: … [Read more...]
Managing fall calving cows is different than spring calving cows, especially during drought
Managing nutrition for fall-calving cows is different than spring-calving herds throughout the production cycle. Fall forages regrow less hardily than spring forages, especially in drought and post-drought conditions. The author shares pros and cons of fall calving and tips for fall calving in drought-stricken areas. Source: Drovers, September 20, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
A guide to fall and winter chicken care
Raising chickens in winter has its challenges and with an avian flu surge predicted, preparing flocks for the colder months now is good common sense. The author offers six tips for fall flock preparation to help chickens enter the winter season in good health. Source: Backyard Poultry, September 9, 2022. Link. INSIGHTS: Consider this article for social media and … [Read more...]
Protect poultry from bird flu
Bird flu circulates among wild birds worldwide. When domestic birds encounter the virus that causes bird flu, it can cause mild symptoms. Some strains, referred to as highly pathogenic avian influenza, can cause severe symptoms and death. Since last January, HPAI has been detected in nearly every U.S. state. Source: University of Florida Extension, September 23, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
The meaning behind different dog sounds
Pat Miller, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, says there are generally six types of sounds dogs use to vocally communicate with humans or with other canines. She shares ideas about what the dog sounds might mean and how to decipher the different noises dogs make. Source: Whole Dog Journal, July 20, 2011. Link. Barks, growls, howls, whines, whimpers, even dog purring . . . dog sounds have … [Read more...]
Cats get zoomies too
Zoomies are normal behavior for cats and a great way to burn off excess energy, writes Sassafras Lowrey. FRAPS or, frenetic random activity periods, are also known as zoomies and frequently associated more with dogs. They are likely not a reaction to Zoom meetings despite the number of cats seen sitting at laptops. Sudden, increased and unexpected bursts of energy, especially … [Read more...]