VVCA Board member, Aaron Smiley, DVM, was the featured speaker during the inaugural Lunch and Learn series for VVCA Community members. Smiley brought his well-known enthusiasm to the group as he shared step-by-step use of telemedicine, client interactions and veterinary nurse involvement in two cases from his practice in Indiana. He also demonstrated how he monetizes virtual … [Read more...]
Working with technology means planning for failure
Opinion For those of us born before 1990, technology represents significantly more than computers and digital devices. Things like anti-lock braking systems, satellite communications, microwave ovens, cable television, early robotics, even indoor plumbing all fit in technology discussions. The expectation was that these technologies will work 99.9 percent of the time. The … [Read more...]
Pandemic leadership lessons can help you
The Covid-19 pandemic has created a unique crisis for businesses. These leadership tactics can serve you and your team for years to come. Source: enterprisersproject.com, August 31, 2020. Link. In challenging times, people will step up if we let them. But if you try to solve the world’s problems on your own, your team can only stand back and watch. Bring your team into … [Read more...]
AAFP releases new feline hypertension educational toolkit
The new Hypertension Educational Toolkit will help veterinary professionals diagnose systemic arterial hypertension (hypertension) in cats, according to the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP). Assessing blood pressure in the feline species is an important part of feline preventive care, yet it is uncommon for practices to routinely perform this test. This … [Read more...]
Slow down, write better emails
We’re sharing from this article verbatim. It is concise, actionable and central to our personal lives. Erica Dhawan says reading carefully is the new listening and writing clearly is the new empathy. So many of our exchanges today happen in written (or typed) form such as email, text and IM. This means that listening in its traditional sense has been replaced by reading text … [Read more...]
Mini-podcast series on Covid-19 features Scott Weese, DVM
Scott Weese, DVM, is featured in a series of mini-podcasts on Covid-19 precautions in veterinary clinics produced by companion animal Ontario Animal Health Network. Each mini-podcast features a quick 3- to 5-minute “lighting round” on common questions and topics. Source: Worms and Germs Blog, February 22, 2021. Link. The mini-podcasts provide bite-sized bits for busy … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – February 18, 2021
Dogs love the sound of your voice, especially when you say certain words. Source: Daily Paws, January 15, 2021. Link. From the study, dogs liked these words best: Walkies, dinner/food/eat, treat, get it, fetch. 7 pet-friendly home design tips Source: Animal Wellness, January 21, 2021. Link. The author shares seven pet-friendly home design tips from … [Read more...]
Knowing why a cow is culled is important
Think about it! Was the cow culled voluntarily or non-voluntarily? While both affect cull rate calculations, voluntary is a proactive decision; non-voluntary is a reactive decision. There are opportunities for herd management improvements that increase potential revenue and profits In the nuances. Source: Dairy Herd Management, October 30, 2021. Link. Evaluating the … [Read more...]
Racing colostrum’s ticking clock
Calving season is here. Colostrum must be a top priority. We learn more each year about this important and beneficial compound. The ability to absorb antibodies steadily declines over the first few hours of life. The old rule of thumb is that calves must ingest colostrum within the first 24 hours of life, but actually, the percent of antibodies absorbed decreases dramatically … [Read more...]
Keeping the horse’s hindgut happy
Although researchers, veterinarians and nutritionists know how critical hindgut function is to overall horse health, they know less about this part of the digestive system than others, writes Katie Navarra in an excerpt from the full article. The stomach is only 10% of the GI tract, but there’s such a focus there. The hindgut is about 25 gallons in a 1,000-pound horse . . . … [Read more...]
Disabled fish gets special life jacket made to help him swim
This is not another fish tale. An unfortunate goldfish was suffering from an untreatable swim bladder disorder. It left him sitting upside down at the bottom of the tank until Stacey O’Shea outfitted it with a customized life jacket so it wouldn’t sink. Source: New York Times, February 15, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
The cat’s microbiome
Researchers are learning more about the feline microbiome, says Ingrid King, former veterinary hospital manager, certified veterinary journalist and author. She shares a few tips to help keep it healthy. A cat’s gut microbiome is a complex ecosystem of organisms that can be affected by many factors says King. One of the biggest threats comes from antibiotics which … [Read more...]
Recognizing the dangerous signs of hypothermia in dogs
The polar vortex is crippling much of the U.S. In this timely article, Deb M. Eldredge, DVM, shares information about hypothermia pet owners can use now. While we tend to think of hypothermia in cold weather, it can happen in warm weather, too she says. Individual body temperatures below 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit can be life threatening. Source: Daily Paws, November 25, 2020. … [Read more...]
Dogs load bucking bulls in the open
This is how one cattle rancher loads bucking bulls. He never leaves his horse, nor uses a corral; just an open trailer and four, well-trained cattle dogs. Put your own twist on this as you please and enjoy! Source: Mel’s video of the day. Link. … [Read more...]
5 tips for helping pets deal with their grief
Rescue. . .Rehome. . .Adopt. . . Foster. . .Relinquish These verbs are all part of the animal health narrative in 2021. Most are associated with people improving the potential for life quality for pets. And, pets grieve. From the pets’ perspective, Jennifer Coates, DVM, reminds us that grief and loss are often associated with these words and we can help if we recognize the … [Read more...]
Lyme disease is getting skinked
Black-legged ticks in the southeast U.S. prefer to feed on lizards, particularly skinks. Skinks don’t transmit Lyme as easily as the white-footed mice in the northeast U.S. Jean Tsao, a disease ecologist, and her team found a clear divide in ticks’ preferred hosts and behavior south of Virginia, matching the pattern of both tick infections and Lyme disease. Source: Science, … [Read more...]
Lepto IS a thing! Dr. Jen the Vet
Jenifer Chatfield, DVM, Dipl. ACZM, Dipl. ACVPM, discusses Leptospirosis sp. including history, zoonoses, clinical signs, environmental concerns and modern approaches to prevention. Every dog, EVERY dog is at risk for lepto. Every dog ought to be vaccinated for lepto.” - Dr. Jen the Vet Source: Is this a Thing? Dr. Jen the Vet, February 10, 2021. Abbreviated version. … [Read more...]
Moving your practice services online important, especially now
Sponsored Content Many small- and medium-sized veterinary practices are still reeling from the impact of the lockdowns during this coronavirus pandemic. Getting practice services online often sounds like a daunting task for practice owners, says Clint Latham, JD. However, it is now more important than ever to have an online presence, where you can reach out to your clients … [Read more...]
Overcoming barriers in cost-of-care conversations
Complimentary Sponsored Content – Part 3 of a February 2021 series In the first two posts <post-1> <post-2>, study results reported by Wendy Hauser, DVM, and team indicate clients and veterinary team members feel better when proactive education about pet health insurance occurs and demonstrated a strong correlation between insured pets and the care these pets … [Read more...]
Webinar: Veterinary medicine as a team sport
Sponsored Content David Liss, CVPM, will discuss the realities of teamwork in the veterinary industry, showcase team dynamics at play and present strategies and techniques to align teams and crush it every day in a new Virox webinar, February 25. For example, effective infection prevention program requires the participation of everyone on the roster. There is no charge for … [Read more...]
7-step process helps you deal with stress, so it doesn’t affect your health (video)
Life can be rough at times and Covid-19 scares and protocols don’t help. They add to everyday stress. Our bodies aren’t designed to constantly be under that pressure. We have to learn healthy ways to deal with the stressors that don’t go away, says Dr. Seth J. Gillihan. “Key is being able to process the stress, so it's not building to a breaking point.” It can feel like … [Read more...]
Huddle up each morning
Two examples highlight the benefit of check-in meetings. First, a recent Nat Geo episode of The Wild Life of Dr. Ole <Link>, featured Ole Alcumbrac, DVM, hosting a stand-up meeting discussing the day, staff substitution while he would be out and follow-up required on a couple of cases. It ended with a request for questions or concerns. This is a real-world example … [Read more...]
Realizing the full potential of veterinary nurses
Kate Boatright, VMD, presents ways today’s veterinary nurses can boost practice efficiencies and improve client experiences. Veterinary nurses are patient care specialists. Their skills should be engaged in every aspect of patient care. . . . veterinary nurses are one of the most underutilized and, often, underappreciated resources. Don't let their skills atrophy!” Source: … [Read more...]
AVMA resources address diversity and inclusion in veterinary medicine
The AVMA has a suite of resources available to help veterinary professionals address and remove barriers to equity and inclusion. Creating socially conscious educational and work environments are imperatives for veterinary professionals whose oath includes public health. Veterinarians, team members, and students must be equipped with the knowledge and skills to meet the needs … [Read more...]
The 5 things customers want
Randy MacLean works in distribution. His perspective on five things customers want and how to deliver them is applicable anywhere in the animal health supply chain. He believes customers are affected and influenced almost exclusively by: Availability On-time delivery No product failures Smooth (and short) interactions Acceptable price Source: Modern … [Read more...]
Saying it and doing it are different
I learned a valuable lesson from my mentor, “Saying you want something is one thing, but actually doing something about it is very different.” We prove what we desire most by our actions, not by our words. Source: becomingminimalist. Link. In too many cases, what we say we want is different from what we pursue. INSIGHT: A goal without a plan is just a wish. … [Read more...]
Join VVCA as a veterinary team
If you missed last week’s post featuring VVCA’s veterinary team memberships, you can catch it now. It is a great way to be sure virtual care grows as a team endeavor. Community activities are being scheduled and implemented, including weekly Café discussions. Team membership is cost-effective. Source: Animal Health Digest, February 11, 2021. Link. Groups of up to 10 … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – February 11, 2021
Clever app encourages you call your friends Source: Fast Company, February 4, 2021. Link. . . . one of the biggest regrets among people on their deathbeds was that they hadn’t kept in touch with their friends.” Data backup 101 for veterinary practice owners – Sponsored Content Source: Lucca Veterinary Data Services, February 1, 2021. Link. Data backups are important … [Read more...]
Covid-19: Here to stay
It is more evident Covid-19 is here to stay. It transmits easily, readily develops new strains and is as tough as flu, HIV and measles. Experts recommend we must realize that our lives will not be the same from now on, even with effective vaccines fully available and distributed worldwide. Quite literally, a new Covid-19 industry is developing to address the goods and services … [Read more...]
Why pigs don’t wear masks
Opinion Relating the challenges of pandemic mask wearing may be a reach, but swine veterinarians and producers have been fighting Porcine Respiratory and Reproductive Syndrome (PRRS) since the late 1980s. Most animal health pros realize the importance of pathogen reduction. Air filtering has become a primary method of reducing risks in swine units where herd density … [Read more...]