Commercial Content Results from a first-of-a kind study show diet type affects skin microflora. Microbe diversity was higher after dogs were fed a fresh diet compared to dry kibble. Skin and coat formulations remain among the most popular health claims made by therapeutic and prescription pet foods. . . . if we can affect the skin microbiome with a diet, that could provide … [Read more...]
Campaign seeks to make November senior pet month
Senior Pet Advocates is recognizing November as Senior Pet Health Month. The group believes it is important to emphasize senior pets require additional care, such as more frequent examinations and diagnostics. Plus, their owners may need nutritional and behavioral counseling. Source: AVMA, October 18, 2022. Link. Senior Pet Advocates plans on growing support for the … [Read more...]
Pet vaccination questions addressed by Scott Weese, DVM
Scott Weese, DVM, shares his thoughts on a series of vaccine issues, questions and dogmas surrounding rabies and core pet vaccines. . . . we need to vaccinate <pets> until we’re sure they’re old enough to respond properly to a vaccine.: - Scott Weese, DVM Source: Worms and Germs Blog. Link. Part 1: rabies vaccine timing, October 20, 2022. Link. Part 2: the puppy … [Read more...]
Dog food home deliveries: inefficient, absurd, yet convenient via ecommerce
Home delivery market opportunities continue to expand. Industry analysts predict that the amount of dog food ordered online will surpass what's bought in stores by 2025. With 77 million or more dogs in the U.S., this one change in buying habits has serious ripple effects on supply chains. Source: Insider, October 19, 2022. Link. The mess of overlapping networks that bring … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – October 24, 2022
New hire background screening webinar, satellite vet clinics at Walmart, National Cat Day history, tech gadgets enable pet care, Hill’s and Mars initiatives and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, October 24, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
What do audiences remember?
Each audience is unique. Every time we present an idea there are opportunities to improve what audience members remember. Whether we communicate in a formal speech, present laboratory diagnostics results or engage a group at a lunch ‘n learn, we want them to listen, remember and often make decisions. Research shows that audiences remember a dismal 10 percent to 30 percent of … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – October 20, 2022
Last week’s most read posts – Socializing new puppies? Manage the right amount of playtime. Link. Last AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, October 13, 2022. Link. 10 commandments of dog ownership Source: AHD, June 28, 2022. Link. Reposting because it is important to routinely reinforce the responsibilities of pet ownership, … [Read more...]
Lame cows are not to be tolerated on dairies
“Acknowledging the importance of hoof health and purposefully reducing lameness incidences may not position farms to maximum performance and profit in the short term, but it is a must-do if a farm is going to achieve a balance of optimal profit, efficiency and welfare by definition of sustainable,” shared Jennifer Walker, DVM, in a recent presentation. At any given time, 25% … [Read more...]
Cool things seen at 2022 World Dairy Expo
Progressive Dairy’s editorial team shares the latest new products and ideas in the dairy industry in this article. Dairy producers participating in an onsite survey indicated labor and input costs were their leading worries. Source: Progressive Dairy, October 12, 2022. Link. New products includes several new advancements that can assist with the essentials of dairy life. … [Read more...]
Veterinary technicians to share their view of the state of the profession
Join The Bridge Club as veterinary technicians discuss the state of the profession today, opportunities for growth, solutions to workflow management and ways technicians can provide more value in the current practice context. Source: The Bridge Club. Link. Register to join the conversation on Zoom, October 27th at 7 p.m. CDT. No fees. Registration required … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – October 17, 2022
The importance of background checks when hiring, pain points with vet visits, progressive brands seek sustainability in pet food, tips for social media profiles, plant-based protein interest, ransomware risks and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, October 17, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
How to negotiate a job offer
Understanding how to negotiate most effectively, in a way that benefits you while preserving relationships is important. Developing negotiation skills are essential, especially in a workplace setting where job titles, money, career progression and overall satisfaction are on the line. Rodney Satterwhite shares ways to negotiate to get what you want and be happier. He also … [Read more...]
The hard conversation
All of us have had to, or will, deal with a frustrating work situation at some point in our careers. SOURCE: CNBC, September 18, 2022. Link. Being curious and asking questions can help defuse negative emotion and keep tensions from rising. INSIGHT: The person is never the problem. Their behavior, their performance etc. may be. Separate that from the person and focus on the … [Read more...]
AAHA’s October Trends celebrates technicians, open access
Trends magazine is the premier magazine for AAHA members. During Veterinary Technician Week, all animal health pros get access to this special edition. Veterinary technicians are the backbone to animal hospitals” - Anonymous Source: AAHA Trends, October 2022. Link. In this issue: Getting well, keeping well Techs@Work photo spread What is the role of a VTS? What … [Read more...]
10 penny-pinching tips for feeding cows this winter
Knowing the cows’ nutritional requirements during the phases of gestation makes a difference in how much cows need to eat, according to Mary E. Drewnoski, PhD. Corn stalks are okay but supplemental vitamins and minerals might be needed. She also shares how distillers’ grains can help contain costs. Source: Successful Farming, December 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Colostrum may be Mother Nature’s answer to calf scours
Researchers have found that, even after gut closure, feeding partial quantities of colostrum reduces scours incidence. Using colostrum to treat scours would be a simple, practical, non-antibiotic and highly affordable option. One concern. What would the impact on the production and supply chain be if this use proves dependable?” – Kirk Augustine Source: Dairy Herd Management, … [Read more...]
Preparing goats for winter
Fall and winter aren’t carefree for caprine lawn mowers. The author reminds goat owners to refresh bedding, including the substrate and warns of possible toxins from garden plants being composted. It is also important to spray for external parasites, trim hooves and ensure vaccinations are up to date. Rhododendron and anything in that family such as azaleas are extremely … [Read more...]
Infectious disease risk for horses rises after natural disasters
Horse owners throughout the Southeast and Puerto Rico are cleaning up after Hurricane Ian. No matter where a natural disaster occurs, it increases the risk of horses contracting serious infectious diseases. University of Florida’s Sally DeNotta reminds us about core diseases and the importance of vaccination. Source: University of Florida Extension, October 7, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
New Pet Food Institute video features tips to keep pets’ weight in check
New and experienced pet owners need to be reminded of the importance of keeping dogs and cats at healthy weights, providing a complete and balanced diet and managing treat calories. The new 2-minute video, Feeding and Treating Tips for a Long and Healthy Life, is a good tool to share on social media, in newsletters and during consultations. Source: Petfood Industry, October … [Read more...]
New advancements in dermatology, renal diets
Adrienne Bautista, DVM, PhD, DABVT, is on tap to share advancements in dermatology and renal diets using current diagnostics to guide nutritional recommendations tailored to individual pets. Live, virtual discussion hosted by The Bridge Club on Zoom, October 20th, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. CDT. Register to participate at no cost. <Link> Source: The Bridge Club. Link. … [Read more...]
Store pet food properly for best nutrition and value
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...]