Complimentary Commercial Content Covetrus released its first environmental, social and governance report last week. It affirms the company’s commitment to providing ethical and sustainable solutions that improve the lives of its employees, customers and partners, while positively impacting the communities it serves. Source: Business Wire, August 5, 2021. Link. In 2020, … [Read more...]
Merck Animal Health announces new naming for cattle vaccine portfolio
Complimentary Commercial Content New packaging and naming will appear on cattle vaccines produced by Merck Animal Health soon. All cattle vaccines will lead with Bovilis followed by the current product name, such as Bovilis Vista, Bovilis Vision or Bovilis Guardian,” said Scott Nordstrom, DVM, director of livestock innovation and discovery, Merck Animal Health. “In … [Read more...]
Galaxy Vets, a new veterinary healthcare system, launches
Complimentary Commercial Content Galaxy Vets, an employee-owned veterinary healthcare system in the U.S. launched this week. Dr. Ivan Zak, founder of Smartflow and Veterinary Integrated Solutions will lead the company. It will use VIS methodology and technology to combat veterinary burnout by addressing why veterinarians leave the … [Read more...]
Staring at a screen for too long can make you feel sick
Too much screen time can result in a condition called cybersickness, writes Angelica Jasper. It’s not just eye strain or fatigue. People can experience symptoms of cybersickness through everyday devices like computers, phones and TVs. Cybersickness symptoms tend to be more intense with virtual reality and augmented reality. Source: Fast Company, July 24, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Dealing with a troublemaker on the team (video)
“Eliminating bad does a lot of good,” says Dan Rockwell, addressing the recalcitrant team member. He shares four steps to dealing with a bad egg on the team: Provide feedback Provide positive intervention Isolate the bad egg Let them flourish somewhere else We would also include. . . Document, document, document Source: Leadership Freak, August 6, 2021. … [Read more...]
Insecure leaders don’t improve employee retention
Good employees don’t quit companies! They quit their managers, supervisors or leaders. Tomas Chamorro’s and Amy Edmundson’s column helps you identify bad bosses and offer effective workarounds to help you and others manage the situation. Source: Fast Company, June 20, 2021. Link. To minimize the risks your boss creates and help your team perform well, go out of your way to … [Read more...]
Pet food draws big-name investment, private equity focus
The pet food and pet care markets have been attracting outside investment interest for well over a decade, writes Debbie Donaldson-Phillips. She says you know an industry has seized the spotlight when it earns the attention of a large and well-known investment firm like Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley recently released a report on the pet industry, predicting the U.S. market to … [Read more...]
Email marketing; Why it’s so important (Infographic)
Email remains a key element of any effective digital marketing strategy. It provides a direct connection between you and your target audience and facilitates a range of engagement benefits. A new overview of essential email usage stats and tips are worth noting: Personalized emails, which include customers' names, can have a positive effect on open rates The right … [Read more...]
The life stages of a veterinarian’s career varies
Opinion A 2020 study of career satisfaction sponsored by Merck sheds light on career challenges, changes and progress for veterinarians. Reviewing the study results, Jessica Vogelsang, DVM, commented it was like reading about life stages for pets. The findings show things start to improve after five years. Whether it’s finally finding the right footing or surrounding … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – August 4, 2021
Last week’s most read posts – we have another tie Modeling fierce self-compassion. Link. Lincoln Memorial University pilots new advanced degree option for veterinary professionals. Link. Baby boomers can’t stop looking at their phones Source: Vice, August 3, 2021. Link. While stereotypes paint millennials and Gen Z-ers as phone and social media-obsessed … [Read more...]
ASF in one third of Dominican Republic provinces, pigs will be slaughtered
The Dominican Republic will slaughter tens of thousands of pigs after detecting outbreaks of African swine fever in 11 of the country’s 32 provinces, according to authorities. Reports indicate the government will pay pig farmers the market price of each animal slaughtered. USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Associate Administrator Jack Shere said safeguards are … [Read more...]
Survey says U.S. producers are split over nationwide traceability system
Farm Journal conducted a survey to glean U.S. livestock producers’ thoughts about animal traceability. The top reason producers would participate in a traceability program is to track disease outbreaks. For those opposed, the second-highest reason would be to qualify for a premium or branded program. Traceability has two fronts: one to track diseases and one to address … [Read more...]
Pointers for pinkeye
Commercial Content Moraxella bovis is a commensal organism of the bovine eye meaning that it can be found on the eyes and periocular tissues of healthy animals nearly all the time, writes Tim Parks, DVM, and Lowell T. Midla, VMD, MS. The veterinarians explain Moraxella bovis generally does not cause infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis, also known as pinkeye, unless there … [Read more...]
Innovative BRD control-decision making tool for cattle introduced
Complimentary Commercial Content WHISPER® ON ARRIVAL, a breakthrough technology that predicts which feedyard animals will benefit from treatment on arrival for the control of bovine respiratory disease was introduced this week by Merck Animal Health and Allflex Livestock Intelligence. Made with a new sound collection device and a predictive algorithm, the system shows how … [Read more...]
What is free-range chicken?
When individuals see free-range chicken at the supermarket, the assumptions include envisioning chickens free to roam grassy pastures. This is not always reality. This author attempts to explain the term and the difference between conventionally raised and free-range poultry. Source: The Outdoor Wear, July 29, 2021. Link. INSIGHTS: We’re sharing this after visiting … [Read more...]
Playing tug with dogs. Good or bad?
Speak to any top dog sports competitor or qualified trainer, and they will tell you that well-managed tug games have many benefits. Even scientific studies confirm they don’t promote aggressive or dominant behaviors. I love the description of “shared holding” when it comes to tug. Allowing a dog to win means they can celebrate with their prize, but it also presents them with … [Read more...]
Summer skin issues affect pets
Complimentary Content Just when it is time to buy school clothes and start fall sports practices, the cumulative effects of spring and summer activities routinely show up in pets’ skin. Although dermatological issues can be yearlong, pet parents may discover specific problems in the summer. Whether caused by allergies, swimming, fleas and mosquitoes, or sunburn, … [Read more...]
Important questions to ask dog breeders before deciding on a new puppy
The Muddy Paws team shares a list of questions potential owners should ask dog breeders. They should be able to easily answer these questions. Finding the right breeder can be complicated, however having meaningful conversations with then can be beneficial and help focus the puppy search. . . . a good breeder should be trying to improve the breed. A quality breeder should … [Read more...]
Are cats social eaters?
Stephanie Borns-Weil, DVM, has doubts that eating is socially facilitated or triggered by the sight of cats in their social group eating with others to signal a social bond. That is not to say that cats do not learn from other cats. Source: Tufts Catnip, November 20, 2020. Link. Cats are solitary hunters. Social eating among them is highly unlikely.” … [Read more...]
AAFP Cat Friendly Certificate Program wins the VMAE 2021 Best in Business Award
The Best in Business Award from Veterinary Medical Association Executives adds further credibility to the value of the Cat Friendly Certificate Program, which was awarded the 2021 Gold Circle Award from the American Society of Association Executives. The Cat Friendly Certificate Program consists of three uniquely designed certificates for each person in the practice: … [Read more...]
Relief Rover raises $10K from virtual 5K event benefitting NOMV
Complimentary Almost 600 runners and walkers participated in the Relief Rover virtual "Clinic to 5K" running event last month. The donation to Not One More Vet was generated from registration fees, sponsors and optional donations made by participants. Veterinarians, nurses, customer service reps and executives, as well as pet parents got involved to support the mental health … [Read more...]
VIS Leading with Purpose series to present partnership models
Ivan Zak, DVM, invited Dr. Beth Davidow and Dr. Karen E. Felsted to talk about partnership models and discuss what changes in conversations must take place between independent practice owners and consolidators when it comes to selling businesses. They will address how to make it a win for both practices and associates at noon EDT, Tuesday, August 17. Source: Veterinary … [Read more...]
Start your day with silence
We live in a world full of noise and chatter. It can be hard to find a break from it all.” Feeling overwhelmed? This author suggests giving this mindfulness exercise a shot. It's called the Sphere of Silence, a 60-minute routine to help you collect your thoughts, stay grounded and decide how you want to enter your day. Source: Harvard Business Review, Management Tip of the … [Read more...]
Thank You
In the best teams, the best leaders, the best cultures, there was always this thread of gratitude. So, it is very apparent that saying, “thank you” isn’t a nice-to-have, it is an absolute must-have. Source: Chief Executive, July 21, 2021. Link. It must come from the heart to be sincere, which sometimes is a difficult thing to teach someone.” INSIGHTS: Too often praise is … [Read more...]
Micro-fulfillment centers. New idea or blast from the past?
Opinion Maximizing fulfillment capabilities in smaller spaces has become big business, writes Kim Hart. What she describes is not new or innovative. It was a business practice common in the 1960s and 1970s. Retailers with catalog divisions like Sears, Montgomery Ward and J.C. Penny placed small stores with backroom, mini warehouses in selected geographies where retail … [Read more...]
VetWatch commentary could raise questions
OPINION Capturing the amount of source data about product sales and client transactions, then assembling it consistently takes much time and commitment. The efforts and vision over the last decade-plus have allowed Animalytix to lead the development of VetWatchSM. THANK YOU! The sustained overall growth bodes well for the industry in the near term. However, it is … [Read more...]
Q and A about the new advanced degree option for veterinary professionals
The introduction of a Master of Veterinary Clinical Care pilot <Link> from Lincoln Memorial University raised a lot of questions. As promised, they are addressed in this second video from The Bridge Club. Source: The Bridge Club, July 27, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
New from Chats with the Chatfields
Complimentary Sponsored Content The Chatfield veterinarian twins have been busy. We’re sharing recent podcasts here: What happens in vet school? Link. Veronica List, a first-year vet student, is not your everyday, run-of-the-mill aspiring veterinarian though! Veronica will be featured in "V's View from Vet School," a recurring segment to share all there is going on … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – July 29, 2021
Last week’s most read post 5 ways your workplace isn’t accommodating to fat people Source: Animal Health Digest, July 20, 2021. Link. Obstacle course training for a puppy. LOL, what a hoot! Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, You Tube, July 21, 2021. Link. Puppy does a flop during obstacle course training. Dogs can tell if you’re lying more than … [Read more...]
Too big, too small or not at all? The future of dairy consolidation.
Consolidation is not a new phenomenon in the dairy industry. But, in the interest of what is most desirable, this author looks at dairy farms from the perspective of size. He notes the number of cattle is not getting smaller even as the number of farms is dropping dramatically. Dairy farms in the U.S. are consolidating at a faster rate today than any other agricultural … [Read more...]