Complimentary Commercial Content Twin veterinarians Jenifer and Jason Chatfield have introduced “Chats with the Chatfields,” a new podcast to provide unique edu-tainment from credible sources. Previously the siblings created and hosted the world’s only veterinary podcast that was a finalist for the People’s Choice Podcast Awards. Join them as they tackle such topics as … [Read more...]
The most comprehensive guide to evaluating Veterinary PIMS
Sponsored Content In general, veterinary practice information management software features include appointment scheduling, electronic medical records, prescription processing, reminders, client database, invoicing, accounting, inventory tracking and reports based on the data acquired ,writes William Forsey. There is no very best veterinary practice management software, … [Read more...]
Study shows test results for PI BVDV calves not affected by age
Detection of persistently infected animals is an important control measure for bovine viral diarrhea virus, but persistence of maternal antibodies are thought to result in false-negative test results. New study findings suggest that testing for PI calves can be undertaken at any age. Source: Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation, March 5, 2021. (abstract only) Link. … [Read more...]
Managing parasite resistance; ‘set it and forget it’ no more
Ron Popeil popularized the 'set it and forget it' phrase in TV infomercials. The phrase could have been used to describe parasite control methods from past decades. Cattlemen and those who work with and educate them can no longer trust a one-and-done parasite control plan. Not unlike antibiotics, our industry needs to use parasite control products judiciously as a component … [Read more...]
Antimicrobial resistance effort has new PCR tool
Complimentary Commercial Content The major drawbacks to generic PCR testing in the clinical setting are lack of pathogen viability indicators and no method for assessing antibiotic sensitivity of the offending agent. Outsourcing PCR testing often delays test results by four or more days. Vetranomix brings the first quantitative PCR testing capability for a broad range of … [Read more...]
Pig flu antibodies could guide human flu treatment
The Pirbright Institute has generated the first pig antibodies against swine influenza that protect against infection and recognize the same parts of the flu virus as human antibodies. This work reinforces the use of pigs as powerful models to predict human responses in infection and vaccination, according to Professor John Hammond. Source: PORK, March 5, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Meeting inventory needs a year later
Opinion Looking ahead through July, can you trust purchase history and forecasts?” – Kirk Augustine ABSOLUTELY NOT! The pandemic shutdown began a year ago. Replenishment slowed to a near halt. Inventory items on hand were motionless until late May or June. Now a year later, our industry has adjusted through curbside services, tele-everything and animal owners have migrated … [Read more...]
Detecting transition cow problems
Overall production problems can usually be traced back to a cow’s dry/transition period. Virginia A. Ishler says it is helpful to know if that is really the issue before solving the problem. She shares information from the DHIA 202 summary report to help determine if a problem is occurring related to transition. Source: Dairy Herd Management, June 8, 2020. Link. If two out … [Read more...]
How to save wildlife by changing a cat’s diet
Researchers have found an alternative way to prevent cats from decimating wildlife. It starts with dietary changes and increased object play. Nutrition seems to have some bearing on a cat’s tendency to kill things, and some cats that hunt may need something extra.” - Robbie A. McDonald, study ecologist Source: Pet Business, March 2, 2021. Link. INSIGHTS: Based on these … [Read more...]
8 steps to recover veterinary hospital email from a hack
Sponsored Content Managing the risk of email fraud is more important than ever as email dominates business communications. Clint Latham, JD, shares the many ways an email system can be compromised and what to do about it. Ransomware is a reality of internet communications. Latham created a free ebook, The Essential Cybersecurity Toolkit for SMBs, to help businesses start … [Read more...]
The way we breed dairy cows is setting them up for extinction
Ninety-nine percent of dairy bulls can be traced back to one of two bulls, both born in the 1960s. This means among all the male Holsteins in the country, there are just two Y chromosomes. The females are not much more genetically diverse, shares Chad Dechow, PhD, who cited the inherent risks of long-term genetic homogeneity. Source: The Bullvine, February 8, 2021. … [Read more...]
VVCA inaugural Lunch and Learn deemed a success
VVCA Board member, Aaron Smiley, DVM, was the featured speaker during the inaugural Lunch and Learn series for VVCA Community members. Smiley brought his well-known enthusiasm to the group as he shared step-by-step use of telemedicine, client interactions and veterinary nurse involvement in two cases from his practice in Indiana. He also demonstrated how he monetizes virtual … [Read more...]
Working with technology means planning for failure
Opinion For those of us born before 1990, technology represents significantly more than computers and digital devices. Things like anti-lock braking systems, satellite communications, microwave ovens, cable television, early robotics, even indoor plumbing all fit in technology discussions. The expectation was that these technologies will work 99.9 percent of the time. The … [Read more...]
Disabled fish gets special life jacket made to help him swim
This is not another fish tale. An unfortunate goldfish was suffering from an untreatable swim bladder disorder. It left him sitting upside down at the bottom of the tank until Stacey O’Shea outfitted it with a customized life jacket so it wouldn’t sink. Source: New York Times, February 15, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Moving your practice services online important, especially now
Sponsored Content Many small- and medium-sized veterinary practices are still reeling from the impact of the lockdowns during this coronavirus pandemic. Getting practice services online often sounds like a daunting task for practice owners, says Clint Latham, JD. However, it is now more important than ever to have an online presence, where you can reach out to your clients … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – February 11, 2021
Clever app encourages you call your friends Source: Fast Company, February 4, 2021. Link. . . . one of the biggest regrets among people on their deathbeds was that they hadn’t kept in touch with their friends.” Data backup 101 for veterinary practice owners – Sponsored Content Source: Lucca Veterinary Data Services, February 1, 2021. Link. Data backups are important … [Read more...]
Why pigs don’t wear masks
Opinion Relating the challenges of pandemic mask wearing may be a reach, but swine veterinarians and producers have been fighting Porcine Respiratory and Reproductive Syndrome (PRRS) since the late 1980s. Most animal health pros realize the importance of pathogen reduction. Air filtering has become a primary method of reducing risks in swine units where herd density … [Read more...]
Animalytix senior executive forum: next Tuesday, February 16th
Complimentary Support the Animal Health Corridor’s Spirit of Service program by registering for this valuable industry forum. Few participants leave without learning something new or gaining new perspectives on our industry. This year’s program is especially promising. The 10th annual Animalytix Senior Executive Forum provides a detailed analysis of the critical market … [Read more...]
Cyberbullying in veterinary industry, a Bridge Club discussion
Complimentary content The Bridge Club is joining forces with Eric Garcia, founder of SimplyDone Tech Solutions, to provide real and tangible solutions to practices that address the growing challenge of cyberbullying in veterinary practices. It has become a common occurrence with an average of one in every five veterinary professionals experiencing it. There is no … [Read more...]
Vets share what people think they know about pets
BuzzFeed writer Alexa Lisitza shares what a Reddit user found when he asked veterinarians what they wish people knew about their pets. The result is something directly shareable with clients in practices and via social media. Source: BuzzFeed, February 1, 2021. Link. I wish people just even had a BASIC understanding of dog or cat body language. The number of videos posted on … [Read more...]
QR codes shaping Innovetive Pet Care services
Complimentary Commercial Content Adjusting pandemic-created constraints, Innovetive Petcare is using more touchless ways to position its veterinarians and animal practices for ongoing growth and success. They have introduced QR codes, online waitlist tools and the use of video in their recruiting, marketing and client-experience efforts. The approach resembles tactics used … [Read more...]
Banfield leaders discuss key pet health trends of 2020; top predictions for 2021
Complimentary Commercial Content Banfield Pet Hospital president Brian Garish and Chief Medical Officer Molly McAllister, DVM, share perspectives from trends supported by 2020 medical records data. They include: a strong increase in juvenile pets pet happiness skin issue treatments increases due to pet anxiety significant growth in telemedicine role of … [Read more...]
2021 AAHA/AVMA Telehealth Guidelines for Small-Animal Practice
These jointly produced guidelines are designed to support the AVMA’s Guidelines for the Use of Telehealth in Veterinary Practice. Developed by a joint task force the result is a how-to resource offering step-by-step, ready-to-implement recommendations to better integrate Connected Care (telehealth) into small-animal practice. Throughout, references are made to components of … [Read more...]
COWBEL aims to unify learning for veterinary professionals around the world
The Consortium on Workplace-Based Education and Learning launches to provide an effective veterinary clinical educational experience at locations around the world that are not on a campus, also known as distributed learning. Distributed learning in veterinary educational terminology is a term used to describe a method of clinical year instructional delivery at locations that … [Read more...]
Talkatoo CEO featured on Veterinary Viewfinder
Sponsored Content Shawn Wilkie, founder and CEO of Talkatoo, joined Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, to share how he entered the veterinary industry, the origins of Talkatoo and how veterinary professionals around the globe are saving time and effort with this innovative technology. Source: Veterinary Viewfinder Podcast, January 20, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Young vet gives tips, gets 1.4 million TikTok followers
Hunter Finn, DVM, may not be the most senior staffer at Richter Animal Hospital in Arlington, Texas, but he has the most TikTok followers on the hospital team. His posting on the social media platform began as a way to unwind from work. However, his unique ways of sharing basic information about pets has garnered him more than a million followers. Source: WFAA, January 27, … [Read more...]
Injured AHD editor kept going with Talkatoo
Commentary Animal Health Digest appreciates the support sponsors offer, especially when it goes beyond expectations. I recently compressed a nerve in my right arm, which greatly limited my typing ability. As one who thinks with his fingers and types for a living, this was a challenge. The good folks from Talkatoo kindly provided me full privileges to its voice-to-text … [Read more...]
Gene editing technology could soon be common practice for beef cattle industry
Jack Ward, executive vice president of the American Hereford Association, spoke about gene editing as one of the advanced technologies to enhance beef cattle during an interview broadcast on the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network < link >. He believes this technology will be good for animal agriculture and could soon be a common practice for the beef cattle seedstock … [Read more...]
7 online scams targeting veterinary practice owners
Sponsored Content “Digital technology is allowing the reinvention of decades-old con jobs as online scams. Fraudsters continue to tap the power of technology,” says Clint Latham, JD. Unfortunately, people are still falling for these updated versions of rip-offs resulting in loss of property, privacy and sometimes freedom. Common scams also target veterinary practice owners, … [Read more...]
To overcome vaccine hesitancy, we need a better patient experience
HBR’s summary led me to review this article first in the human context and again thinking about animal health vaccination experiences. By thinking of the vaccine as a consumer product, vaccination as a service, and a high NPS (net promoter score) as a goal, we can better design the end-to-end vaccination process and bring this pandemic to a close as quickly as … [Read more...]