Commentary Considering how easy it is to quit doing the basics, Syed Balkhi’s nine ways to focus on your existing customers and explore ways to generate more revenue from them may be worth reviewing. After all, few of us ever dislike hearing ”dijuwanfrieswitdat?” at the drive-through window. Pursuing new prospects is great and all, but you shouldn’t disregard the … [Read more...]
New program to open access to veterinary care to underserved animals nationwide
The Veterinary Innovation Council has announced the launch of new resources to address the nationwide problem of access to veterinary care and new comprehensive services to help veterinarians reach underserved patients. Through its Access to Care Resource Hub, veterinary professionals will find the tools, knowledge and resources they need to offer greater access to veterinary … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – April 29, 2024
Pet bereavement leave efforts, pet industry reaches $143 billion in 2023, pets over paycheck trends, managing cash flow, cybersecurity and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, April 29, 2024. Link. Nominations for the Pet Care Business Excellence Awards are open through May 31st at com. This fall, plan to attend the IBPSA FLOW Business Conference, September 24-26th … [Read more...]
4 ways to spot a fake job posting on LinkedIn
Job seekers have enough on their plates without having to dodge fraudulent job ads and recruiters. Even LinkedIn, one of the most reputable job search platforms, isn't safe from scams . . . and it's up to job seekers to learn how to apply with caution, writes Paola Peralta. Exercising caution and verifying job postings are essential steps in finding legitimate employment … [Read more...]
CDC’s new HeatRisk tool
The CDC and National Weather Service have teamed up to roll out two experimental tools nationwide that will help public health officials and citizens to better prepare for dangerous heat: HeatRisk Dashboard and HeatRisk Forecast. Given the challenges heat brings to livestock production and companion animal safety, these tools can help animal health pros stay safe and more … [Read more...]
DVM changed his mind about supporting lasers
From skeptic to advocate of photobiomodulation therapy, Michael Perry, DVM, shares how his choice to upgrade to a class IV laser changed his approach and created many new treatment possibilities. Pain management is a huge part of my practice. A lot of my patients with chronic osteoarthritis cannot take NSAIDs . . . for various reasons . . . so I rely on physical modalities . … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – April 25, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, April 18, 2024. Link. Most read post(s) from the April 18th AHD Bulletin – NAAVR launched to elevate, support veterinary client service pros. Link. Solitude. Link. Top beef cow counties in the U.S. Link. ===================================== Scientists say animal consciousness needs a … [Read more...]
AKC announces AKC® DNA + Health: DNA identification with genetic health and traits testing
The AKC® DNA + Health test promises to be a powerful resource for breeders as they plan for litters and work to strengthen their breed(s). The AKC DNA + Health test, developed with trusted lab provider Neogen, offers an AKC DNA profile, plus more than 328 markers for health and traits. Source: AKC, April 11, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
When dogs need braces
Dog braces can help correct a variety of dental issues, some of which are serious. Rachael Gerkensmeyer shares conditions where braces may help and details of supporting a dog with correctable dental issues. Source: Dogster, April 16, 2024. Link. Dental problems that can be treated with dog braces include: Linguoverted teeth Overbite Overcrowding Misalignment … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – April 18, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, April 11, 2024. Link. Most read post(s) from the April 11th AHD Bulletin – Words are important. Link. Insects on farm animal menus. Link. whiskerDocs® 2nd patent: Integrated animal health records. Link. ===================================== 16 compliments you didn’t realize are actually pretty … [Read more...]
Blain’s Farm and Fleet announces online system for direct ordering of prescriptions AHD Staff
A new online product, AnimalRx, is a direct result of FDA Guidance for Industry No. 263 and offers access for livestock producers with a prescription. Source: Successful Farming, April, 15, 2024. Link. The website shares the following about how they handle livestock prescriptions <Link>. "If you have a prescription from your veterinarian, simply add the item(s) to … [Read more...]
Halo collar named to Fast Company’s 2024 fastest-growing private companies
Halo is a wireless GPS dog safety system and wireless fence that keeps dogs protected everywhere they go. Fast Company's list of the World's Most Innovative Companies of 2024 shines a spotlight on businesses, like Halo Collar, that are shaping industry and culture through their innovations. Source: Pet Business, April 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Merck launches new activity monitoring technology, SENSEHUB Dairy Youngstock
Merck announced the launch of its new activity monitoring system, SENSEHUB Dairy Youngstock <Link>, the industry’s first monitoring technology for dairy calves from birth through the first 12 months of life. The product makes it easier for dairy producers and calf managers to detect and locate calves and heifers who need attention based on animal behavior monitoring. An … [Read more...]
Marketing bulls as feeder calves rather than castrating costs producers
Kellie Curry Raper shares numbers that reflect an overall increase in the proportion of bulls coming through feeder calf sales. She shares data showing that not castrating bull calves costs producers as much as $56/head on 500-pound animals. Raper also reminds us of research indicating multiple animal performance benefits linked to earlier castration* including shorter … [Read more...]
Evaluating fecal microbiota transplant for treating diarrhea in adult horses
Nancy S. Loving, DVM, shares the results of research that evaluated the efficacy of fecal microbiota transplants in equine enterocolitis cases. The technique involves feces collected from a healthy equine donor. After straining the material, the veterinarian administers fecal fluid to a recipient horse via a nasogastric tube. Conclusions from this retrospective study … [Read more...]
It is important to count dogs’ teeth
Michael Jennings, VMD, DAVDC, writes about dentigerous cysts which are often seen in young brachycephalic dogs. They develop around an unerupted tooth when the epithelial lining covering the enamel produces fluid, causing expansion and destruction of surrounding bone. Jennings shares the importance of counting teeth, determining if a tooth is missing or unerupted and … [Read more...]
Title protection for vet techs, next week on The Bridge Club
For veterinary technicians and our industry, titles are confusing state by state. Join Heather Prendergast, RVT, CVPM, SPHR; Beckie Mossor, RVT; Sam Geiling, RVT and Shannon Nowak, LVT, RVT, to discuss the state of title protection for veterinary technicians April 24th in a Bridge Club virtual discussion on Zoom. Registration is free. Source: The Bridge Club. Link. … [Read more...]
Amazon Pet Day is back to celebrate National Pet Month
Amazon Pet Day will return for its third year in celebration of National Pet Month with 48 hours of deals on pet products and supplies. The two-day sales event will take place on Tuesday, May 7th and Wednesday May 8th. Pet owners can start saving early, with deals beginning on April 23 including savings on pet-loved brands. Source: Pet Business, April 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
The hidden risk of letting AI decide – losing the skills to choose for ourselves (video)
Sharing dangers of outsourcing decisions to AI, Joe Árvai, PhD, says AI is mere keystrokes away from making people even less disciplined and skilled when it comes to thoughtful decisions. He recognizes the potential benefits in cybersecurity, health care and finance, where complex models and massive amounts of data need to be analyzed routinely and quickly. Still, Árvai warns … [Read more...]
RESPONSIBLE pet imagery in marketing, advertising and outreach is important
The authors of this piece urge animal health pros to be vigilant in how we portray pets and their owners. They emphasize the need to do it in a positive and healthy environment. Using more responsible imagery to connect and engage with your pet-loving audience can go a long way toward influencing and changing behaviors for the better — improving safety and 'norms,' and helping … [Read more...]
Chewy CEO on new technology in new veterinarian clinic care clinics (video)
Chewy CEO Sumit Singh discusses the launch of Chewy’s first veterinarian clinic, how it’ll help Chewy’s finances and more. He shares his perspective on veterinarian demand and matching DVM and customer experiences at scale. His comments about the effects of the pandemic on demand and the transition to e-commerce are notable. Animal healthcare is a new frontier . . . we’ve … [Read more...]
AAFP’s Spring into Feline Medicine eConference starts April 21st
The AAFP is bringing back its three-day virtual live CE event: Spring into Feline Medicine. Expert speakers will present a variety of feline topics in a live format with 13 RACE-approved CE credits over three days. The meeting days are on different days of the week to allow for flexibility in the schedule. Sessions will air live and will be available on-demand through … [Read more...]
whiskerDocs® announces second patent: Integrated animal health records
Processes outlined in a new patent can significantly improve providing health care for animals by leveraging advanced technologies in data analysis and machine learning. The systems and processes patent expands the assessment and management of pet health by utilizing new technology that supports personalized medicine, predictive modeling, early intervention and unique insights … [Read more...]
Video game teaches cow handling
Mooving Cows is a 3D isometric mobile game that’s changing the way dairy farm employees understand and interact with cattle. University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Jennifer Van Os, PhD, developed the game with feedback from Wisconsin dairy farmers, including Spanish- and English-speaking staff on farms. It provides an alternative to traditional animal handling training … [Read more...]
Resource: Basic biosecurity practices for sheep and goats
Collaborating with USDA, the staff at the American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners developed a biosecurity toolkit for use by DVMs and producers. The toolkit consists of six flyers, as well as a main poster. It’s free to download and can be used for client education. Source: AASRP. Link. … [Read more...]
5 steps to super-sanitation for calf equipment
Cleaning and sanitation of calf-feeding equipment is a primary management subset that matters advised Don Sockett, DVM, PhD. Equipment must be cleaned first, disinfected second to help reduce the potential for spreading illness between calves. Sockett shared two main things he sees during farm visits: 1) the use of weak or ineffective soap and 2) wash brushes not dried … [Read more...]
Get cows bred earlier using estrus sync
The main constraints for producers considering adopting a synchronization protocol are labor, facilities and costs. Still, the main advantage of implementing synchronization technology is an added opportunity for more females to conceive in the first 21 days of the breeding season. The authors present benefits of estrus synchronization for beef cows in natural breeding … [Read more...]
Banfield survey reveals heartworm prevention rates are declining
Despite mosquitoes that transmit disease being present in all 50 U.S. states and increases in heartworm incidence in cats and dogs, a Banfield survey reveals nearly 40 percent of pet owners don’t believe their pet is at risk for heartworm disease and almost 30 percent have not put their pet on a preventive medication. Source: Today’s Veterinary Practice, April 8, 2024. … [Read more...]
Cats with MDR1 mutation at risk of severe reactions to popular medication
Katrina L. Mealey, DVM, Ph.D., DACVIM, DACVCP, and her team have identified cats with the MDR1 genetic mutation are at risk of severe adverse reactions to the active ingredient in some top-selling parasite preventatives for felines. The ingredient, eprinomectin, appears safe and effective for most cats except those with the MDR1 gene mutation. Genetic testing is the only … [Read more...]
Must-have apps for pet parents
ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance recently shared a list of must-have apps designed for digitally savvy pet owners. They may help reduce scrolling, simplify life and aid in keeping pets happy and healthy. Consider sharing the link in social media posts or newsletters. Source: ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance. Link. … [Read more...]