When leadership fails, it is often due to a successful characteristic morphing into its evil twin. Just as with the Force in Star Wars, there is a negative associated with every positive. Don’t let these pitfalls negatively impact your leadership. Source: Inc., February 11, 2013. Link. Leaders fail due to certain social-psychological blinders that inhibit their capacity to … [Read more...]
How to get through an extremely busy time at work
Many of us go through periods when we have little personal time, writes Alice Boyes. Others may be committed to jobs that regularly involve intense and long hours, creating a long-term lack of rest. She offers practical tips for thriving when you have to be fully committed. Here are some strategies that can help: Use Premack’s principle; reward system Compartmentalize … [Read more...]
Awkward doesn’t even begin to describe it
IF you talk to veterinary team members very long you’ll eventually hear about awkward situations they frequently encounter. The FIRSTLINE team gathered a few of these stories for this article. For salespersons and new clinic colleagues, stories like these are great icebreakers. To get a conversation started ask, “What happened this week that was awkward and challenging to … [Read more...]
Male or female, humping is a normal dog behavior
Humping behavior is mostly associated with male dogs, but it is not uncommon in female dogs, writes Sassafras Lowrey. The behavior is usually a sign of heightened arousal, but not necessarily sexual. Lowrey sought information from Nik Hof, Chair of The Association of Professional Dog Trainers, to address common concerns and methods to manage the behavior. Sorce: Whole Dog … [Read more...]
Dog whimpering may not mean something bad
Dog whimpering communicates something, but it doesn’t automatically indicate something bad, according to David Dilmore, DVM, He says whimpering can caused by any of these factors: Being uncomfortable or in pain Illness Feeling anxious Needing something/excitement Source: Dogster, April 3, 2019. Link. . . . dog whimpering is just a way for dogs to communicate … [Read more...]
Top 5 substances that affect blood glucose
Thomas Schermerhorn, VMD, DACVIM (SAIM), shares his top five substances that exert important effects on blood glucose regulation in dogs and cats and the clinical situations in which they may be encountered: Insulin Glucocorticoids Xylitol Growth hormone Progestins Source: Clinician’s Brief, November 2018. Link. Abnormalities in blood glucose occur when … [Read more...]
Dogs, ibuprofen and other human pain relievers
Melvin Peña provides solid information about ibuprofen and other human NSAIDS being ingested by dogs. He explains the compounds’ mode of action in dogs and shares common toxicity symptoms. Peña focuses his information on dogs and ibuprofen, since it appears to be the biggest reported culprit. Still no nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID, is safe for dogs to … [Read more...]
Alternatives for feeding dogs with diarrhea or other stomach issues
Marc Smith, DVM, draws from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) food therapy when addressing a dog with stomach issues. His approach is to optimize the individual’s qi (life force) by balancing the internal energies of yin (cold) and yang (heat). According to TCM, all foods have properties that either warm the body, cool the body or are neutral, says Smith. Most acute … [Read more...]
The role of gut-microbiota in animal health, well-being
The complex microbial community in the gut of animals plays a critical role in pathogen control, immune function, nutrient provision and intestinal morphology. Animals are born with no effective gut microbiota. Inoculation and colonization begins as the animal exits the birth canal. Each animal’s microbiota is unique, but 90 percent of the contributing organisms are of the … [Read more...]
Improve biosecurity to keep ASF at bay
Swine veterinarians are critical industry players to keep watch over deadly diseases. With the threat of African swine fever (ASF) looming large, keeping up to date on biosecurity protocols is important. Betsy Freese, executive editor of Successful Farming, and Paul Thomas, associate veterinarian for AMVC Management Services, share questions and answers about … [Read more...]
Time for equine soundness exams
Now is the time to make sure your horse is ready for the rigors of regular work, writes Christine Barakat. When scheduling horses’ spring shots, veterinarians need to schedule some time to evaluate horse soundness and joint health, as well. A soundness exam serves two purposes: it will identify any current soundness issues that need to be managed the exam will provide a … [Read more...]
Let chicks outside at the right time
Marissa Ames discusses when new chicks can leave the brooder to get exposed to the outdoors. She provides an informative growth and temperature chart to help chicken owners keep weather in mind so chicks manage the transition from brooder to the outdoors as well as possible. Source: Countryside Daily, March 13, 2019. Link. Whether chicks are outside or in, always ensure they … [Read more...]
PickyOrSick.com, a new science-based resource helps cat owners
A new website from Kindred Biosciences, Inc., helps owners recognize changes in eating and drinking behavior in their cat and directs them to a veterinarian. The site provides research-backed information and always directs owners to make an appointment at their local veterinary clinic. Note how often people search the internet about cat illness in the announcement. Source: … [Read more...]
Top 10 Cities heartworm report: March 2019
CAPC released the March 2019 report that lists cities with the highest percentage increase in positive heartworm tests. They are: Overland Park, KS San Francisco, CA Laredo, TX Thousand Oaks, CA Salinas, CA Oceanside, CA Clarksville, TN Portland, OR Providence, RI Jersey City, NJ Source: CAPC, April 12, 2019. Link. Share this update with … [Read more...]
USDA simplifying vaccine labels
Industry groups have pushed for a single-tiered system since 2002. Similar to the system FDA uses for human vaccines, the single-tiered system makes the approval process more efficient, while still providing producers and veterinarians the information they need to make vaccine decisions. USDA published a final rule in 2015. USDA released guidelines in 2018, and the … [Read more...]
JAVMA talks student debt, salaries
With nearly half of veterinary clinics seeking a new associate DVM in the next decade, <link> practice owners need to stay abreast of both salaries and indebtedness of students arriving on the job scene. Salary trends appear strong while debt continues to increase. Source: JAVMA, May 1, 2019. Link. (abstract only) . . . the mean full-time starting salary was $82,425 . … [Read more...]
Employment opportunities in veterinary profession exploding
The 2013 National Research Council comprehensive study of current and future workforce needs in the veterinary profession concluded there was little evidence of workforce shortages in most areas of the profession. Today however, the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate a projected increase of 15,000 veterinarian positions will be needed between 2016 and 2026. While it’s very … [Read more...]
Assessments help you succeed. Get a free one before April 30.
Purpose Unlimited is offering a free assessment to AHD subscribers until April 30. Assessments can help you identify what you need to know about yourself in order to be more successful. When you understand your natural behavior style, what drives your behavior and your level of emotional intelligence, then you can learn how to capitalize on your strengths and overcome your … [Read more...]
Screen time has little impact on teen well-being
A new study casts doubt on the widely accepted notion that spending time online, gaming, or watching TV, especially before bedtime, can damage young people's mental health. Published in Psychological Science <link>, at least one of three studies included in the report normalized results for specific content affect. Perhaps we’ve been misled? Source: Science Daily, … [Read more...]
Rapid fertility evolution has beef bulls in demand on dairies
Corey Geiger explains why some dairy managers are using beef genetics in their dairy cow herds. Earlier use of heifers, sexed semen and improved pregnancy rates are part of the reasons for this shift in fertility strategies. This April, 4284 bulls were declared active by A.I. organizations . . . but only 1,074 of those bulls had milking daughters. Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, … [Read more...]
Consolidation continues as nearly 3,000 U.S. dairy farms closed in 2018
Consolidation is happening throughout the animal health industry. Hoard’s team provides a series of articles that project a picture increasing cow numbers on fewer farms. While market conditions are a primary factor, attrition due to dairy farmers’ age, absence of succession options and carrying costs also contribute to this trend. Source: Hoard’s Dairyman. Dairy farm … [Read more...]
Treating Type One and Type Two equine wounds (includes video, photos)
Type One wounds, those that heal by first intention, are those that can be sewn up, says David Ramsey, DVM. Normally after a cut, there’s about six hours to reintroduce the edges of the skin to each other. Type Two wounds are healed by second intention because to close the skin granulation and epithelial, cell bridges must form. In the two articles referenced here, Ramsey … [Read more...]
Differentiating dog farts
Sassafras Lowrey shares perspectives on dog flatulence. She writes that the occasional fart from your dog shouldn’t concern us. However, excessive farting can be a symptom of something more serious. The articles here are good content for social media and e-newsletters. Source: Dogster, March 28, 2019. Link. Some amount of dog farts is normal for most dogs. However, excessive … [Read more...]
5 ways to stop dogs from begging for scraps
When your dog’s pleading eyes melt your heart, it’s easy to give in and toss a nibble from your plate. You tell yourself, “it’s just a taste.” What you’re doing instead is reinforcing begging behavior. Janet Miller says a few simple tricks can convince your dog to stop begging every time you eat: Do not give in Ignore the behavior Close the door Use the your-place … [Read more...]
How dogs know when you’re sick (video)
Dogs really do know when their humans are having a rough time. In fact, hey use a variety of signals to figure it out, writes Amanda Mull. Your pet can tell when you have the sniffles and domestic dogs have shown an aptitude for detecting both minute mood fluctuations and serious physical conditions. Dogs are preternaturally sensitive to changes in their people,” says … [Read more...]
Kitten season in full swing
This is the time of year when every unspayed, queen (female cat) is likely to have a belly full of babies or a litter by her side. Kitten season occurs because the queen has evolved into a seasonally polyestrous creature. This means she comes into heat only during a particular time of year, during which she is capable of having multiple pregnancies, writes Nancy Kay, DVM. Peak … [Read more...]
Cats know their names: why it’s harder for them than dogs
In a new study in the journal Scientific Reports, psychologist Atsuko Saito showed that cats know their names even when called by a stranger. She notes domestic cats are still evolving, thanks to closer human interactions as cats spend more time indoors. The inclusion of Japan's cat cafes as study sites was an interesting twist on behavior research. Source: National … [Read more...]
Dogs have masters. Cats have staff.
Collen Kirk’s recent paper investigated consumers' psychological ownership and their economic valuation of pets <link>. She discusses the juxtaposition of dogs versus cats and how that plays out in economic terms. Her results clearly show that the animal’s behavior is what makes people willing to pay and that psychological ownership is a driving factor in dog owners’ … [Read more...]
Gorillas, snakes and sharks provide close encounters for veterinarians (Spark videos)
The veterinary community’s love for animals isn’t restricted to cats and dogs. The Spark crew shares stories from DVMs whose experiences went beyond everyday practice and landed them in some unpredictable situations. Source: NAVC Spark, April 2019. Link. Videos feature the following DVMs: Sonia Hernandez meets a Bushmaster snake Doug Mader encounters a Whale shark … [Read more...]
To engage or disengage: when issues become obstacles on social media (infographic)
Diane Martin discusses when and how to deal with bully-like behaviors on social media from persons whose comments indicate a lack of knowledge or understanding. She provides an infographic to help determine when it is acceptable for a brand or business to offer comment on social media and when it best to stay silent. Martin’s examples involve Ag and food supply examples. The … [Read more...]