Price transparency is truly in-hand, according to a recent survey that investigates how U.S. consumers use their smartphones in stores. 47 percent plan to use their smartphone to search for competitors' prices 36 percent will look up product reviews 30 percent will sign up to receive in-store promotions 28 percent will take pictures for future reference 16 … [Read more...]
Develop effective elevator pitches
Presenting yourself effectively is an important skill. Whether networking, interviewing for a job or meeting with clients, being able to concisely communicate what you do is a critical success skill. Source: Personal Branding Blog, November 3, 2016. Outplacement organizations tell clients that in order to be prepared for different kinds of circumstances; they must have both … [Read more...]
6 stinky dental recommendations
In a presentation at a recent convention, Karen Felsted, CPA, MS, DVM, CVPM, and Barden Greenfield, DVM, DAVDC, warned against serving up lame, lukewarm dental and wellness recommendations. She modeled better language by offering a do-this-not-that approach when talking about dental care and infections. Source: DVM 360, October 28, 2016. Don't say: "Looking at Linus’ … [Read more...]
Mobile, tablets conquer desktops, laptops
And, that just happened. Last month was the first time more web pages were viewed on mobile and tablet devices than laptop and desktop machines. Source: Quartz, November 1, 2016. And, while the global smartphone market is slowing, manufacturers are still shipping about as many smartphones in a quarter as computer makers send out desktops and laptops in a year, and it’s … [Read more...]
Knowledge gap looms on FDA antibiotic rules
With big changes to rules governing antibiotic use in animal agriculture pending at the end of this year, producer opinions range from cautious support to skeptical opposition. Some are taking a wait-and-see approach. John Maday, Bovine Veterinarian editor, shared producer survey feedback that indicates the education process is far from finished. Source: Bovine Veterinarian, … [Read more...]
How the VFD applies to anaplasmosis
Anasplasmois is caused by Anaplasmo marginale, a blood parasite. The parasite is transferred between animals by blood contamination, often caused by blood-sucking insects. It is common in the South and in some parts of the country, clinical anaplasmosis can occur year-round. The new Veterinary Feed Directive allows for treatment. Source: Progressive Cattleman, November, … [Read more...]
Holistic veterinarians say congestive heart failure is sometimes reversible
Congestive heart failure in dogs, as in humans, can be classified in four functional phases. Combining conventional treatments with complementary approaches may improve whatever underlying imbalances or deficiencies the dog may be experiencing, which can help to slow or stop the progression of disease. Source: Whole Dog Journal, October 23, 2016. (via Whole Dog Daily … [Read more...]
Robotics make milking easier in Kansas dairy
A Palmer, Kansas, family dairy operation spent five years researching robotics and deployed a system a year ago. Duane Meier reflects on the positive results of the effort. Source: Dairy Herd Management, October 21, 2016. Now, six people are taking care of 720 cows with more time to actually manage the cows and take care of 600 acres of crops. Milk production increases are … [Read more...]
Dogs dig pot, dude
Voters in eight states are voting on various forms of marijuana legalization next month. No matter your position, keep your pets in mind. Veterinarians are seeing more dogs suffering from highs from marijuana smoke and edibles. It’s not pretty, either. Source: The Boston Globe, October 21, 2016. 'With the increase in all these recreation products, we saw the number of … [Read more...]
Youth swine exhibitors VFD guide available
The Pork Checkoff has released “Youth Swine Exhibitors’ Guide to New Antibiotic Rules” and it is available at no charge. Source: The Pork Checkoff. As of January 1, 2017, youth swine exhibitors, parents and project advisors will face major changes regarding access to feed and water medications for show pigs. INSIGHTS: In addition to this guide, there are more resources in … [Read more...]
6 steps to take before VFD becomes effective
Much has been written about VFD including these five posts on Animal Health Digest: More on VFD FDA pilot program begins on-farm VFD inspections VFD tools for clients available for free Apiary owners must bee ready for VFD Common VFD form format part of FDA final guidelines This great infographic reminds producers of the steps that need to be taken pretty … [Read more...]
More controversy over dog kisses
Mouth to mouth dog kisses may feel like the ultimate display of affection, but when it comes to such kisses, several experts caution: beware of dogs. Source: New York Times, October 21, 2016. Dr. Nandi, University of Pennsylvania, says a dog’s saliva has proteins that may help cleanse or heal its own wounds, but in a paragraph titled “Why Not to Make Out With Your Pet,” he … [Read more...]
AAHA transitioning to accredited-only hospital membership model
AAHA is bolstering its strategy to clarify and support the accredited AAHA practices with membership changes. Over the next two years, it will transition to an accredited-only hospital membership model. The transition will be completed by June 30, 2018. Non-accredited practices have until July 1, 2017 to enter into an agreement to become AAHA accredited. Any non-accredited … [Read more...]
How to recommend pet foods
Fritz Wood, CPA, CFP, often reminds his audiences that 100 percent of the dogs and cats that visit a veterinary practice EAT. The same is true of shoppers’ pets seen by retail associates. With this in mind, the free VetFolio web conference will be valuable to veterinary teams and reps who serve them. Consider attending this free web conference as a team. After the … [Read more...]
Backyard flocks are big risk for spreading Gumboro in U.S. chickens
Infectious bursal disease (IBD), commonly known as Gumboro, is an immunosuppressive disease in chickens caused by infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV). A wide range of IBDV pathotypes exist in nature. They have been generally classified into subclinical IBDV (variant), classic virulent IBDV and very virulent IBDV (vvIBDV) groups. Although vvIBDV does not exist in some … [Read more...]
11 states where veterinarians earn great salaries
Insider Monkey, an evidence-based investment resource, recently released statistics about the 11 highest-paying states for veterinarians, based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment Statistics report. Source: AAHA NEWStat, October 12, 2016. To select the 11 highest paying states for veterinarians, Insider Monkey referred to the Occupational Employment … [Read more...]
Hispennials represent tremendous opportunity
Almost 60 percent of the 55 million Hispanics in the United States today are millennials or younger. Their shopping and buying habits are different than their non-Hispanic counterparts, according to the latest HispanicLink™ findings from IRI, a marketing research firm. Convenience and ease of shopping are important, as are online deals and in-store engagement associated with … [Read more...]
Fall can be hazardous for pets
Sarah Young reminds us that fall weather also brings some seasonal hazards for pets. These simple reminders make good material for newsletters, posts and websites. Source: Consumer Affairs, October 12, 2016. Before heading outdoors, pet owners should keep in mind that fall brings with it certain risks to dogs. Some of these risks are made by mother nature while others are … [Read more...]
Young folks like to read their news, not watch it
Lest you think millennials only watch news, think again. New findings from Pew Research show that only 38 percent of Americans ages 18 to 29 name video as their preferred way to get the news. In fact, 42 percent of that group prefer to get their news by reading it online in a text format. Folks older than 50 years prefer watching the news. Source: NeimanLab, October 6, … [Read more...]
APHIS pet travel tool
When travelling with pets, there may be animal health requirements specific for a destination. Factors to consider may include meeting timeframes for obtaining a health certificate, updating vaccinations, diagnostic testing or administration of medications or treatments. USDA APHIS recently launched a handy tool for veterinary teams and animal health pros dealing with pet … [Read more...]
50th World Dairy Expo ends
Here are some photos and moments from the World Dairy Expo that took place last week in Madison, Wisconsin. If you could not attend or have never been there, these will help you experience it minus the ice cream, milk and cheese samples. Source: Dairy Herd Management, October 7, 2016. There are plenty of sights to take in while attending the 50th World Dairy Expo in … [Read more...]
Newest edition of JAVMA
Three papers piqued our interest in this issue (abstract access only): Overdiagnosis. Misdiagnosis is understood in veterinary medicine. However, there seems to be little discussion of the problem of overdiagnosis and the risks it poses to veterinary patients. Together. Federal directive will bring veterinarians and beekeepers together. Honeybee drugs will require a … [Read more...]
Spending on pet supplies drops
Pet owners were spending more on their pets last year. However, the supplies category suffered. Now, treat and premium food spending bodes well for assertive veterinary practices and retailers who focus on engaging their customers about nutritional value and overall wellness for animals. Source: Pet Product News, October 5, 2016. John Gibbons speculates that the big rise in … [Read more...]
Professional development for employees is critical
Our post, 21st-century agriculture amazes many, scares some paints vivid pictures of food production in the United States. As technology advances, new skills are paramount to achieve success. Erika Osmundson reminds employers of seven underlying benefits from professional development beyond simple education: Confidence and credibility Efficiency Ability to influence … [Read more...]
Large animal veterinarian input sought
Beef and Beef Vet are collaborating with the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University to co-sponsor a survey of large animal veterinarians. Please share this with your colleagues and customers in large animal practices. More input means better information. Source: Beef Vet, October 6, 2016. The world of veterinary medicine is changing and how veterinarians … [Read more...]
NCBA offers free webinar on changing antibiotic regulations October 27
Here’s a resource to share with your cattle customers. Consider having a small group of key customers join you at a clinic, restaurant, community center or such to view the webinar and then discuss implementation of the VFD regulations. It takes place Thursday, October 27 at 7:00 p.m. Central. Source: National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, October 6, 2016. Join the webinar … [Read more...]
How millennials are changing distribution
Distributors are re-examining their strategies as millennials become a populous and educated segment of the workforce, Michael Wilson writes. Their online purchasing preferences are reviving the need to practice consultative selling as distributors shift to meet customer preferences. Source: Industrial Distribution, October 4, 2016. Consultative selling refers to a method … [Read more...]
Editorial – Meeting the challenges of curation
Animal Health Digest is a curation service. One source defines a content curator as someone who continually finds, groups, organizes and shares the best and most relevant content on a specific issue online. That is what we do at AHD. We sift through more than 150 media sources on a day-by-day basis. While you do your jobs, we read for you, determine what content is most … [Read more...]
Be cautious around horses
Equine veterinarians have higher rates of injury than other occupations, including those in construction, the prison service, and firefighters. Further, an Australian study data reported that while there have been significant decreases in injury and death in workplaces traditionally viewed as dangerous, such as mining and construction over the past several decades, there has … [Read more...]
Dogs like TV
Dogs notice and understand pictures they see on the television screen, as well as the sounds that accompany them. Digital and HD technology has improved the TV experience for dogs, says Janet Miller. Dogs literally see a new picture, with more clarity than before. Studies show how they see and process images, why they are attracted in the first place, and whether or not they … [Read more...]