The National Pork Board launched AgView, a tool to help the pork industry respond quickly to a foreign animal disease outbreak. The voluntary system is designed to enable producers to input premise identification data, diagnostic data and pig movement data for pig contract tracing in the event of a disease outbreak. Source: The Pig Site, November 11, 2020. Link. “AgView is … [Read more...]
Fences revisited, this time without wire
Last week we shared an article about the ecological impact of fences < link >. In ongoing research in Nevada, ranchers are experimenting with virtual fences using technologies that work like pet fencing but use GPS technologies instead of a wire in the ground. They hope to use the technology to improve rotational grazing and restrict cattle from grazing areas where toxic … [Read more...]
VVCA Mark Five series compares telemedicine policies: AVMA, AAVSB, and VIC
Continuing his series about the dynamics of telemedicine in the veterinary space, Mark Cushing, JD, compares the policies of three organizations that set guidance for veterinarians. He first reminds us that the VCPR rules were established to create a legal basis for state boards to take disciplinary actions against a practitioner, NOT to protect animals under the care of … [Read more...]
Healthcare community learns about growth of telemedicine in veterinary care
The healthcare community is becoming more aware of the health value of pets for people. In a survey conducted by Xtelligent Healthcare Media, 11 percent of respondents identified pet ownership as a social determinant of health, five percent screen their patients for pet ownership and nine percent partner with organizations within the community to address the ups and downs of … [Read more...]
Talkatoo becomes AHD sponsor
Talkatoo, a specialized dictation application that allows for speech-to-text capability, joins the group of sponsors who support our weekly AHD Bulletins and post library. Talkatoo’s capabilities include difficult animal health vocabularies. Animal health pros will find this talk-to-type technology especially useful in easing daily workflows, recordkeeping and … [Read more...]
Manage change proactively in veterinary practices
Complimentary Commercial Content from Covetrus Software Services, North America Covetrus has created a how-to resource to help teams transform with the rapidly changes in today’s veterinary climate. Navigating What's Next: How to Manage Change in Your Veterinary Practice, offers tips and insights that will help you: Recognize the need for change and identify the signs … [Read more...]
Mark Five episode 5: the role of vet technicians, vet nurses in telemedicine
Complimentary content from VVCA Mark Cushing, JD, addresses the empowerment or restriction of veterinary technicians or vet nurses as telemedicine grows in veterinary practice. Although it is an area that has been widely debated, he clarifies areas to consider: The 3 NOs for vet techs/nurses Types of supervision of vet techs, vet nurses by DVMs Use of these … [Read more...]
VVCA in virtual care driver’s seat
Complimentary content The Mark Five: Policy Off Leash series continues with the third and fourth editions. In the third edition, Mark Cushing, JD, shares critical information about how the FDA views telemedicine. The discussion focuses on off-label prescriptions and traditional VCPR in the FDA regulations. The FDA rule is limited to extra-label drug prescriptions and was … [Read more...]
Carriers driving early Black Friday offers
Commentary The pandemic has changed Black Friday forever. Surcharges announced in August by the largest shippers are the penalty for not selling out early. The pandemic has caused shippers to fully reassess their supply chain strategy and their carrier mix. One way that delivery services hope to deal with the holiday crush is to push retailers to ship more packages early … [Read more...]
The first MiQLab diagnostic system placed at University of Pennsylvania
Complimentary commercial content “We are very excited to be placing our first completed commercial MiQLab system in the Penn Vet [school] microbiology laboratory for their evaluation. This is a tremendous step in delivering our technology into the veterinary market and beyond,” stated Dr. Jack Regan, LexaGene’s CEO and Founder. Designed for in-clinic, point-of-care, … [Read more...]
Drs. Weese and Anderson review Covid-19 in animals
In a series of blog posts, Scott Weese, DVM and Maureen Anderson, DVM review Covid-19 in animals by family. Industry pros are thankful for the efforts being made to help keep Covid-19 in perspective. Thank you Drs. Weese and Anderson!” Source: WormsandGerms Blog. Link. Worms & Germs Blog is an educational website coordinated by Drs. Scott Weese and Maureen Anderson of the … [Read more...]
Scott Weese, DVM, discusses mutating Covid-19 in mink
Weese and others have been forthcoming since January 2020 about the need to approach emerging diseases proactively by looking for potential problems and taking steps to control them early, rather than waiting for definitive evidence of a problem. Now with as many as five strains of Covid-19 virus identified in mink, the early warnings of viral mutation have become reality. How … [Read more...]
Floor resurfacing reminder
Providing confident, non-skid footing for dairy cattle is vital to their health, performance, and well-being and is one of the basic elements required in any dairy housing system. Dan McFarland discusses various surfaces and the importance of stable footing for cows. Source: Dairy Herd Management, May 26, 2020. Link. Reconditioning flooring surfaces cattle use may seem like … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club with Shawn Wilkie
Sponsored Content If you’re tired of entering medical records and notes, then this will be the discussion for you. Talkatoo’s Shawn Wilkie, we will discuss the evolution of transcription and current progress in veterinary medicine. He’ll review the average amount of time practices spend on transcriptions and how having the right system in place will save a practice time in … [Read more...]
Washing livestock trailers with infection control certainty
Sponsored Content Regardless of the pathogens, transporting increases risks for all livestock. Livestock trailers pose a significant risk for pigs, cattle, horses and poultry as they are moved from one location to another. Cleaning with scoops, forced air or pressure washers is as best a first step to controlling pathogen spread from remaining residues before the trailer is … [Read more...]
Podcasts. Who listens, who might pay?
Podcasts are communication options often considered in the face of pandemic restrictions. But, will a podcast reach its audience? Morning Consult surveyed adults who frequently listen to podcasts. Spotify and Apple are the favored platforms and demographics indicate white males and millennials are the largest audiences. The survey also considered the pros and cons of paid … [Read more...]
VVCA Mark Five series: VCPR Changes Since COVID-19
Complimentary Content In this second Mark Five video, Mark Cushing, J.D. covers the complex subject of how Covid affected telemedicine VCPR policies. Fortunately, veterinary medicine was declared essential across all of the United States. Three different types of took actions that affected they did something about telemedicine VCPR policy: 17 states suspended their … [Read more...]
The science behind the masks
Despite all the evidence face masks help protect us and others from coronavirus exposure, we occasionally run into doubters. This short animation vividly shows how even a simple mask works to reduce the virus spread. Source: The New York Times, October 30, 2020. Link. The public health debate on masks is settled, said Joseph G. Allen, director of the Health Buildings program … [Read more...]
Researchers discover a second key that makes SARS-CoV-2 so infectious
Researchers believe they have found another way the coronavirus gains entry into our cells. They discovered a receptor called neuropilin-1 gives the novel coronavirus a leg up in infecting our tissues. This particular protein is relatively abundant on cells lining the nasal cavity, making it a piece of cake for the virus to establish a home inside our bodies, raise a virus … [Read more...]
Cow Buoy pops up anew (slideshow)
No livestock person is happy about a downed cow. Getting one up is near impossible. Typical of the hands-on work of producers, Roger Swihart remembered and updated the original Cow Buoy creating the Cow Crane. Source: Missouri Ruralist, November 2, 2020. Link. You can see how it operates on the company website <video demonstration> INSIGHTS: Like portable chutes, … [Read more...]
Virtual reality grant to help increase interest in animal welfare
This is great news, but I wonder, “how will the scratch ‘n sniff be deployed”? Joking aside, congratulations to Nicole Anderson for a sizeable grant to use virtual reality to increase student interest and understanding of farm animal welfare. The funds will help develop four virtual reality modules that focus on operating commercial dairy and swine farms. Source: … [Read more...]
Finding someone who will choose to work for you
Complimentary Commercial Content Our industry needs more animal health professionals, especially ones who can work as veterinarians and veterinary nurses and techs. But, what does your employee wanted ad represent? is your ad all about you? Or does it express why someone will enjoy working for you? It's a Job ad, not a Job description!” That’s the premise of the … [Read more...]
FBI and DHS issue warning about ransomware, cyberattacks on hospital systems
Sponsored Content Cyberattacks don’t recognize borders, says Clint Latham, JD. Anytime health care industries are put in the cross hairs of cyberattacks, it also encompasses veterinary practices. He shares perspectives, outlines risks and discusses how to reduce possible damage. Source: Lucca Veterinary Data Security, October 29, 2020. Link. Also see: FBI warns … [Read more...]
Maybe we don’t need so much Zoom
Zoomed out? Beyond the social connections made during Zoom calls, most activities can be done by leaders, discussed in chat or dealt with by email. Yet, organizations are defaulting to virtual meetings instead. Zooming has taken over too many calendars. This article shares a flow chart to help answer the question, “Should this be a meeting?” Source: NOBL Academy, November … [Read more...]
VVCA series addresses telemedicine questions, challenges
Responding to feedback from veterinarians, veterinary techs and nurses, the Veterinary Virtual Care Association created a series of short videos by Mark Cushing, founder and managing partner of the Animal Policy Group, and co-founder of the VVCA. In the first video he reviews the policies that govern veterinary telemedicine. His focus is on the basics of the veterinary client … [Read more...]
Clearing the air via filtration
Complimentary Commercial Content If we have learned nothing else in 2020, the risks from aerosolized infection agents should be near the top of the list. This article covers how Purafil, a Filtration Group company, adjusted its technology and focus to the pandemic along with a look at the importance of air filtration moving into 2021 and beyond. Source: Vet Advantage, … [Read more...]
Bricks and clicks; veterinary technology comes of age
Nearly a year before the onslaught of the Covid era, Bob Lester, DVM, wrote, “We are moving from bricks to clicks. Consumers are insisting, and we had better listen.” Quoting Abraham Lincoln, he advocated adopting emerging technologies sooner than later. Source: Today’s Veterinary Business, February 2019. Link. Bricks have and will continue to serve a purpose, but bricks … [Read more...]
Managing password risk in veterinary practices
Sponsored Content Our readership of the data security tips from Clint Latham, JD, indicates how challenging digital security is for animal health pros in the office, on mobile connections and at home. This week Clint offers perspectives on password management. As he explains, the challenges remain, but with some planning, risk can be mitigated. Source: Lucca Veterinary … [Read more...]
Table Talk to provide information about canine genomic testing in veterinary practice
Complimentary content DNA testing options are continuously being developed for dogs and adoption of the technology is on the rise. Veterinarians can now use genomic testing to screen for common, actionable disorders to anticipate health issues and enable preventative care. Join Lindsey Kock, DVM, and Lauren Thorne of Neogen® for a free RACE CE approved Table Talk: … [Read more...]
Impediments to empowerment
OPINION National Veterinary Technician’s Week was filled with celebrations, acknowledgment and for me, discovery. Participating in two virtual roundtables encompassing virtual care and veterinary technician use, common threads became apparent as I listened: Veterinary teams are taxed and running on fumes Workflow and staffing models are in continual flux, including … [Read more...]