Cat owners, groomers and veterinary teams all appreciate the challenges of skittish felines. Stephanie Borns-Weil, DVM, shares information about the benefits of playing music in order to create a more serene environment. Two resources she recommends are: MusicMyPet.com <link> “Relax My Cat” on You Tube < link > Source: Tufts Catnip, February 2019. Link. For … [Read more...]
Study: We’re finding new feline viruses faster than we can figure them out
The authors of a recent review in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery < link > say, “the rate at which novel [or previously unknown] viruses are being discovered now exceeds our understanding of their clinical relevance.” (The researchers) also raised important questions because the potential pathogenic role of novel viruses can be difficult to … [Read more...]
Measuring owner-cat bonds
Here’s a fun quiz worthy of social media posts and e-newletter links. Cat owners will enjoy taking the quiz and then learning how to increase the bond with their cats. Source: Modern Cat, October 2018. Link. … [Read more...]
7 secrets to choosing the best food for cats
Elizabeth Pask and Laura Scott discuss cat food secrets and present information for cat owners to help them make the best choices for their individual animal(s). Their topics cover: Tinned food versus dry foodRead the ingredient listWhat’s the deal with grain?Good fats vs. badFiber versus fillerAdd fresh foodsConsider your cat’s life stage and activity level Source: … [Read more...]
Stop buying grain-free pet food!
Grain-free dog food, accounted for 44 percent of pet food sold in specialty stores in 2017, according the New York Times. Along with pet foods that are vegan, organic, raw and you name it, consumers continue to increase spending on specialty pet food. However, veterinarians are concerned that grain-free diets pose health risks to dogs, especially if consumed long-term. FDA … [Read more...]
Rethinking osteoarthritis: findings from the 2019 VET Report
Successful management of osteoarthritis (OA) requires a multifaceted approach, according to findings in the 2019 Veterinary Emerging Topics (VET) Report from Banfield Pet Hospital. The report considers 3 areas of concern for pets with OA—weight gain, reduced mobility, and the progress of arthritic changes—and offers veterinarians a means to better manage and treat these … [Read more...]
Connecting buying style to clients
In a recent presentation about self-awareness and self-management, Betsy Charles, DVM, related self-awareness to dealing with animal owners’ choices. She shared perspectives about over buyers and under buyers at a recent conference. Self-awareness is the ability to accurately perceive your own emotions and stay aware of them as they happen and if you don’t know yourself … [Read more...]
Mind tricks keep us addicted to our phones (includes video)
Zip, whoosh, boink, Ta-dah, ding! Add red dots, alert boxes and brightly colored notices and our cell phones tinker with the habit-forming parts of our brains to keep us coming back to them. Nicole Bayes-Fleming explains how those trigger-action-reward systems are integrated in persuasive design to be habit-forming. The average person spends a combined total of one … [Read more...]
Manage flu in swine and you
Whether it’s the neighbor’s pot-bellied pig, the large swine operation nearby or your family, flu season is here, and we all need to pay attention. Since the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, research has been conducted to better understand human and pig influenza. Because flu viruses can be transmitted between pigs and people, biosecurity is important to prevent the spread of influenza from … [Read more...]
Be sure pets are safe during cold weather
Winter weather challenges pets, livestock and animal owners. The AVMA offers information on its website, including client handouts for members. It is especially important to remind new pet owners of the limitations cold weather places on our pets. Frozen water bowls are commonly overlooked. Remember to warn people how much outdoor and feral cats like warm automobile engines. … [Read more...]
Learn to use productive procrastination to your benefit
Talk about oxymorons! Clinical psychologist Nick Wignall says procrastination can be a powerful productivity tool. Procrastination is quite normal and is nothing to feel ashamed about. There are ways to use procrastination to your advantage, he says. He recommends three steps to become a productive procrastinator: Pay attention to negative self-talkProcrastinate … [Read more...]
Revenue growth may be wishful thinking
According to a recent healthcare survey conducted by TD Bank, 87 percent of veterinarians surveyed expect to grow revenue in the next two years. Given the continuing onslaught on pharmacy revenue from 800 Pet Meds, Chewy and others, I sense this is more wishful thinking rather than a realistic expectation. When you’re ready to acknowledge the threat and act, read on. Source: … [Read more...]
Good news for veterinary technicians
Enhancing the use of veterinary technicians was a core topic during the recent AVMA House of Delegates business meeting. Clearly the value of veterinary technicians is unquestioned. The consensus was that efforts need to be made across the profession to increase technician use and boost job satisfaction. Source: AVMA@work, January 25, 2019. Link. Additionally, the AVMA … [Read more...]
How to follow up with people after a conference
Dorie Clark provides a framework for structuring post-conference follow-up to increase chances that new connections turn into meaningful professional relationships. What matters is capturing the data and making a list of people you spoke with whose cards you didn’t obtain. Source: HBR Ascend, January 2019. Link. Most new relationships will fall into three categories, … [Read more...]
AQHA opens Horsemen of the World exhibit
The American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum <link> opened a new exhibit last November. The Horsemen of the World exhibit showcases the unique bond between horses and horsemen around the globe. Visitors can view the exhibit at the Hall of Fame & Museum in Amarillo, Texas through November 2019. Source: AQHA. Link. Despite differences in breed, discipline … [Read more...]
Test tube horses becoming more common
We found this article on intracytoplasmic sperm injection informative and the science discussed educational. It is remarkable how modern science is extending blood lines using both mares and stallions despite some medical impediments. Source: Ranch Horse Journal, January 2019. Link. The benefits to this are that you are able to breed a mare that has always been an … [Read more...]
Focus on what you can control
Clint Schwab* reminds swine producers to remember to let technology take a backseat to good old-fashioned execution. Regardless of individual species focus, any animal health pro will capture something useful in his article about human and animal resources and maximizing production. He discusses training, feed quality, biosecurity, breeding and stress reduction. . . . … [Read more...]
Researchers bust antimicrobial-resistance myth
It would seem logical to assume beef from cattle treated with antibiotics would carry more resistant bacteria than beef from “antibiotic-free” production systems. Testing this hypothesis researchers with the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) have shown shows similar levels of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in ground beef raised with and without antibiotics. The … [Read more...]
Vegetarian-fed animals: Good marketing, bad for industry
Finding the right balance between science and marketing is an everyday challenge for animal health pros. Nutritionist Ioannis Mavromichalis, Ph.D., offers perspectives on why all-vegetable diets may not be best for animals or the animal protein industry: It’s not true to the consumerIt’s not true to the animalWhat about vitamin B12?Do not drive your customers to decide … [Read more...]
Best productivity hacks for 2019
Whether at work, in relationships or at home Mike Schultz’s productivity tips make sense. See which ones will improve progress to your key objectives and goals. Source: Marketing Profs, January 21, 2019. Link. There are thousands of time-management and productivity tips and systems out there, but with so much information available, it's hard to know what works and what … [Read more...]
Beating procrastination can be tough
Researchers no longer consider procrastination as a basic time-management problem. They now view it as a complex and highly individual phenomena; a complicated failure of self-regulation. Experts define it as the voluntary delay of some important task that we intend to do, despite knowing that we'll suffer as a result. Source: Entrepreneur, January 21, 2019. Link.The … [Read more...]
2019 is going fast!
It may seem like we’re just getting started on 2019, yet 6.3 percent of the year has already passed as of this morning. 2019 offers us 251 working days, 104 weekend days and 10 public holidays. Twenty percent of the public holidays are behind us and we’ve already used eight weekend days. Source: Working days.US. Link. INSIGHTS: Planning and tracking progress … [Read more...]
Veterinarian suicides continue to be a growing problem
In January, the Centers for Disease control released the first study to examine veterinarian mortality rates in America. The results showed that between 1970 and 2015, male and female veterinarians committed suicide between two to three and a half more often than the national average, respectively. Further, one in six veterinarians have considered suicide, indicating a growing … [Read more...]
What to expect from Gen Z (includes infographic)
The oldest Gen Zers are now entering the workforce. Here are five tips on engaging them through learning and development programs: Go mobile or go homeFeed their bite-sized learning appetiteFocus on soft-skills developmentEncourage collaborationUse mixed-media formats Source: HR Technologist, December 28, 2018. Link. By designing learning experiences tailored to the … [Read more...]
Innovetive Petcare receives VETTY awards at VMX
Congratulations to the Innovetive Petcare marketing team for being chosen for 2019 VETTY awards. They won a gold medal for a new logo and the 60th anniversary logo for the Animal Hospital of Wilkes in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Plus, this logo earned a prestigious judges’ award. Innovetive Petcare’s website design for Animal Emergency & Specialty Center of Knoxville, … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club to honor Cavanaugh and Stephanus at WVC
Dr. Michael Cavanaugh, CEO of the American Animal Hospital Association, and Julia Stephanus, founder and president of Avviare, will be honored by The Bridge Club and be presented with a lifetime Bridge Club membership February 18th in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bridge Club's ICON Series live event will take place during the Western Veterinary Conference and will take place from … [Read more...]
Make the best of networking events
The trade show season is in full swing. For animal health pros, networking is a common activity that accompanies trade show duties. Zack Friedman reminds us of things NOT to do when networking. Source: Forbes, January 15, 2019. Link. Make sure you don't do these 5 things at networking events: Give a hard copy of your resume to everyone you meetBrag about how amazing … [Read more...]
Safety concerns when cats fight
Industry information shows homes with cats are likely to be multi-cat homes. Bringing a new cat into the mix can easily erupt in caterwauling and flying fur. The Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine offers cat fight knowledge to keep cat owners safe. Source: Catwatch, February 2018 via Catster, January 23, 2019. Link. Most cat fights center around coveted … [Read more...]
Watch for these changes in cat behaviors
Cats are excellent at masking illness or health issues. Jo Singer discusses seven shifts in cat behavior which indicate a potential health problem that warrants veterinary attention. Source: Catnip, August 2017. Link. Domestication and indoor lifestyles have required pet cats to adjust to our surroundings, a habitat that is by nature quite alien to them. As a result, … [Read more...]
Chickens and cats don’t mix
Chicken owners need to become familiar with three types of cats, writes Ana Hotaling. Whether housecat, barn cat or feral/stray cat, chickens are not enrichment activities. They are prey in the cat mind. Larger breed birds may be less likely to fall to feline predation given their size and protective tendencies. Source: Hobby Farms, January 16, 2019. Link. INSIGHTS: … [Read more...]