There are three key strategies to pricing anything, writes Michael Stanisz. All three apply to B2B, B2C, a product or a service: Cost-based or cost-plus pricing. Note, this includes margin and markup methods. Market-based pricing. Note, minimum MSRP guidance plays a role here. Value-based pricing. Pricing challenges are frequently discussed when animal health pros … [Read more...]
GlobalVetLink introduces the Pet TravelPass™ for international pet travel
Complimentary A new tool from GlobalVetLink promises to save veterinarians time and worries when clients want to travel internationally with their pets. GVL Pet TravelPass is available now at http://www.globalvetlink.comand offers an easy sign-up and get-started process, with no subscription fee or monthly minimums. Source: GlobalVetLink, August 7, 2021. Link. The GVL … [Read more...]
Migration Alert: high intensity bird migration in progress
Large numbers of birds are migrating over the central U.S. Some nights have more migratory birds passing through than others. To protect migratory birds, turn off all unnecessary lighting between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. The strong yellow and pink in the map illustrates high intensity. Source: BirdCast, September 1, 2021. Link. Bird migration forecasts show predicted … [Read more...]
Top e-collars for dogs
Often controversial, e-collars are used as training aids. The author reviews e-collar pros and cons for various brands. Dog trainers sometimes train dogs with e-collars to try and remedy unwanted behaviors. Some trainers say e-collars can be valuable to get dogs to obey when they are off leash, help keep them safe and locate a dog that is out of sight. Source: Puppies and … [Read more...]
Smart cat scat is now here
Complimentary Commercial Content Health monitoring technology is now available in cats’ litter boxes and by monthly subscription. It promises to provide cat owners a visible health monitoring opportunity which is important as cats instinctively hide any illnesses. The company has engaged Martha Stewart as a Pretty Litter brand ambassador. It has been featured in media such … [Read more...]
Petabyte to partner with NVA to transform pet care experience for doctors, patients and their families
Complimentary Commercial Content The newly formed Petabyte consortium and partnership with National Veterinary Associates’ veterinary community of 1,200 independently managed veterinary hospitals and more than 100 pet resorts allows for software development collaboration. Petabyte smooths patient management for veterinary hospitals through its software, … [Read more...]
Talkatoo raises new capital to support continued growth in veterinary segment
Complimentary Congratulations to AHD supporting sponsor Talkatoo! The easy-to-use, efficient dictation software for animal health professionals announced it closed a new, oversubscribed round of funding, led by Klick Ventures. Talkatoo is one of only 12 companies selected to the exclusive Google for Startups Accelerator program’s Voice AI cohort. Talkatoo's … [Read more...]
Winners of the 2021-2022 Retailer of the Year awards
Pet Product News editors selected one standout store as its Retailer of the Year: Animal Connection in Charlottesville, Virginia. The pet supply store won the 2019-2020 Marketing Award and managed to top itself this year, snagging the top honor for PPN’s 2021-2022 awards. The list of award categories reveals the efforts and complexities of the pet retail … [Read more...]
Nicole Clausen opens Inventory 911 Toolkit course
Complimentary Commercial Content Using her experiences and those of industry inventory managers, Nicole Clausen, CSSGB, CCFP, CVBL, has opened enrollment in the Inventory 911 Toolkit. The methods, tools and tips have helped countless inventory managers take the first step of getting their inventory under control. It is an inventory manager's go-to, step-by-step blueprint to … [Read more...]
Thoughts from the Veterinary Innovation Summit + NAVC Media eCommerce Summit
Opinion Among myriad thoughts captured during the Veterinary Innovation Summit, these present the most opportunity and challenges for veterinary teams in the next three to five years. Some are trends we see routinely as we curate content, but others are coming faster than previously perceived: Pet caregivers will drive how they wish to interact with veterinary clinics . … [Read more...]
Leptospirosis: diagnosis & treatment
Leptospirosis is a thing, according to Dr. Jen the Vet. She says, “Every dog, EVERY dog is at risk for lepto. Every dog ought to be vaccinated for lepto.” <Link> But what needs to occur if a patient is presented with clinical signs consistent with leptospirosis? Scott Weese, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM, provides a step-by-step guide to managing suspected leptospirosis … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – August 19, 2021
Last week’s most read post 40 percent of U.S. wild deer have coronavirus antibodies: study. AHD Link. Cat2VetDay is August 22nd Source: Cat Friendly Homes. Link. In the United States, more than half of our 74 million cats are not visiting the veterinarian regularly. See the resources available for immediate use including, 5 reasons NOT to postpone … [Read more...]
Blow air in, not out
Flipping conventional exhaust fan practices on their head, Gordie Jones, a veterinarian and nutritionist, designed a way to blow fresh air in providing benefits year-round. His concept is, what he calls an “all-season, hybrid barn,” uses positive ventilation when it is needed to boost air flow in a naturally ventilated barn. Source: Dairy Herd Daily, March 19, 2019. Link. … [Read more...]
Pay attention to these 3 customer trends
The pandemic accelerated digital transformation, widened the gap between innovative leaders and those who resisted change, unsettled and increased customer expectations, and forced sales teams into remote interactions, says J. Michael Marks. You don’t have to be a distributor to appreciate the simplicity of the trends Marks shares. He says if you’re willing to play offense, … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – August 12, 2021
Last week’s most read AHD post Relief Rover raises $10K from virtual 5K event benefitting NOMV. AHD, Link Last week’s Animal Health Digest Bulletin - August 5, 2021. Link. Scientists have worked out how to send viable mouse sperm on postcards Source: New Scientist, August 5, 2021. Link. This study raises the intriguing idea that human spermatozoa could … [Read more...]
Staring at a screen for too long can make you feel sick
Too much screen time can result in a condition called cybersickness, writes Angelica Jasper. It’s not just eye strain or fatigue. People can experience symptoms of cybersickness through everyday devices like computers, phones and TVs. Cybersickness symptoms tend to be more intense with virtual reality and augmented reality. Source: Fast Company, July 24, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – August 4, 2021
Last week’s most read posts – we have another tie Modeling fierce self-compassion. Link. Lincoln Memorial University pilots new advanced degree option for veterinary professionals. Link. Baby boomers can’t stop looking at their phones Source: Vice, August 3, 2021. Link. While stereotypes paint millennials and Gen Z-ers as phone and social media-obsessed … [Read more...]
Survey says U.S. producers are split over nationwide traceability system
Farm Journal conducted a survey to glean U.S. livestock producers’ thoughts about animal traceability. The top reason producers would participate in a traceability program is to track disease outbreaks. For those opposed, the second-highest reason would be to qualify for a premium or branded program. Traceability has two fronts: one to track diseases and one to address … [Read more...]
Innovative BRD control-decision making tool for cattle introduced
Complimentary Commercial Content WHISPER® ON ARRIVAL, a breakthrough technology that predicts which feedyard animals will benefit from treatment on arrival for the control of bovine respiratory disease was introduced this week by Merck Animal Health and Allflex Livestock Intelligence. Made with a new sound collection device and a predictive algorithm, the system shows how … [Read more...]
Micro-fulfillment centers. New idea or blast from the past?
Opinion Maximizing fulfillment capabilities in smaller spaces has become big business, writes Kim Hart. What she describes is not new or innovative. It was a business practice common in the 1960s and 1970s. Retailers with catalog divisions like Sears, Montgomery Ward and J.C. Penny placed small stores with backroom, mini warehouses in selected geographies where retail … [Read more...]
Concerns over loosening of biosecurity in U.S. pork industry
Heightened biosecurity efforts done to prevent ASF may be waning, according to Cassandra Jones. She raises concerns that the industry is slipping back into some of the old habits, thereby leaving biosecurity gaps for ASF or PRRS to sneak into herds. . . . biosecurity under the premise of PRRS prevention, or under the premise of ASF prevention, is the same darned thing.” – … [Read more...]
Cows’ stomachs could hold the key to recycling plastic
Harvesting fresh rumen liquid from a slaughterhouse Australian researchers incubated it with samples of three types of plastic in powder and film form: polyethylene terephthalate which is the type of plastic that’s used in soda bottles, food packaging, and synthetic fabrics polyethylene furanoate, a biodegradable plastic that’s common in compostable plastic bags; and … [Read more...]
Speaking of Pets – a worthwhile resource
It’s a challenge filling e-newsletter, blog and website content. Enter Speaking of Pets, a 2-minute podcast from NPR and Alabama Public Radio. Host Mindy Morton covers everything under the sun in short, easily usable pieces. Source: NPR, Speaking of Pets, Link. Speaking of Pets with Mindy Norton is for people who care about pets and about humane treatment for animals in … [Read more...]
Spotify’s pet playlists for music that owners and pets will love
Complimentary One of the more popular Spotify playlists is the Pet Playlist. Based on musicology research and a pet-focused survey Spotify conducted, the Pet Playlist generates a list of songs you'll enjoy. Plus, your pet might, too. Source: Insider, via IBPSA Fast Bites, July 19, 2021. Link. The playlist's songs are picked according to what kind of pet you have and their … [Read more...]
Vets DO IT on the phone – Chatfields chat with Aaron Smiley, DVM
Dr. Jen the vet and Dr. Jason Chatfield are joined by Dr. Aaron Smiley to find out what is and isn't legitimate telemedicine. Smiley is one of the founders of the Veterinary Virtual Care Association and a champion of monetizing virtual care interactions. Telemedicine is not new. . . 140 years and going strong. What’s new is the expansion in technologies.” – Aaron Smiley, … [Read more...]
Chatfields seek People’s Choice Podcast Award nominations
Opinion, Complimentary Twin veterinarians Jen and Jason Chatfield hosted the top veterinary podcast in 2020. It was the first-ever veterinary podcast to be a finalist for the People’s Choice Podcast Awards (Science and Medicine). In 2021, the veterinarians launched a new podcast, Chats with the Chatfields. They are seeking nomination support for the 2021 People's Choice … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – July 15, 2021
Last week’s most read post Society ignores low-probability events that have far-reaching consequences, Source: Animal Health Digest, July 7, 2021. Link. Become the boss of your emotions Source: Healthline, April 28, 2020. Link. The ability to experience and express emotions is more important than you might realize. The felt response to a given situation, … [Read more...]
Cattle save premature babies
A lot of useful products come from cattle beyond the beef. By far one of the most amazing is that their pulmonary surfactant is used to save premature infants lives. Everything but the Moo is collected at slaughter - nothing is wasted” Source: Farmer Girl, Facebook, July 12, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Porcine circovirus type 2; where do we stand?
First seen in the 1990s in swine, PCV2 has been observed to be involved in a wide variety of clinical presentations. Thirty years later with millions of dollars lost by producers and millions spent chasing this virus, it is still a conundrum. The most common form of the disease is considered to be subclinical, write the authors. The evolution of the virus has followed a … [Read more...]
6 questions that are effective for identifying cats with feline arthritis pain
The lack of recognition of arthritis pain in cats is severe enough that by one estimate, less than one percent of cats with arthritis pain are seen by veterinarians. Researchers came up with a six-question, one-minute survey with simple “yes” or “no” answers for cat owners to see if their cat might have arthritis and decide if the pet needs to see a veterinarian. Source: … [Read more...]