Complimentary content Katie Woodley, BVSc, cVMA, GDVCHM, brings a collaborative mindset to integrative veterinary medicine. She combines western and eastern approaches to improving the quality of life for pets. A frequent guest on The Bridge Club Pets*, she anchors on food being the foundation for health. She asserts five steps to implement into pet's lives for optimal … [Read more...]
Hackers target webcams and cash flow
Sponsored Content Clint Latham, JD, addresses security issues in an effort to help the veterinary profession conquer the world of cyber security and ensure veterinary data remains secure. Two new posts cover webcam security and ransomware. Source: Lucca Veterinary Data Services. Link. 7 steps to determine if your webcam has been hacked, October 5, 2020. Link. … [Read more...]
The future of veterinary telemedicine
Complimentary Content Roger Redman, DVM, and president of American Association of Veterinary State Boards shares his perspectives on telemedicine. He believes telemedicine isn’t just a part of the veterinary future, but that it guarantees the profession has one. He discusses VCPR, the expanded use of telemedicine platforms to facilitate access and the potential for dedicated … [Read more...]
Disinfecting or just cleaning? Contact time MATTERS!
Commentary With news media reporting a resurgence of Covid-19 infections this fall, it is time to revisit contact time. Best practices say to remove dirt then disinfect. But if the disinfectant used does not remain wet for the duration of its contact time, we are essentially just cleaning. Considerations in your community Conversations this week with the head nurse of … [Read more...]
CDC updates information on Covid-19 airborne risks (with video)
Well duh! The CDC now says people should also avoid crowded indoor spaces and ensure indoor spaces are properly ventilated by bringing in outdoor air. This update is a result of mounting evidence from super-spreader events. The guidance for physical distancing remains in place and needs further emphasis as winter drives more personal interactions indoors. The balance of … [Read more...]
Shop wisely. Your bank account is counting on you.
Online shopping is the rule, not the exception in 2020. With the holidays ahead and a few black Friday promos already behind us, H. Colleen Sinclair offers 10 tips for how to shop smart and spot scams including: Is it too good to be true? Check the business reputation Social media presence: Do they have one? Source: The Conversation, October 6, 2020. Link. … [Read more...]
Decoding vaccine titers in companion animal practice
Sara E. Gonzalez, DVM, MS, provides a literature-based review of the limitations and benefits of this type of testing and guidance for interpreting results. In the summary comments she shares: The gold standard laboratory techniques for detecting circulating blood antibody titers against the core canine vaccine antigens and FPV are VN and HI. Core vaccine titer testing … [Read more...]
Catching up with VIP’s Drs. Shawn and Ivan
It is easy to fall behind on things we want to do. Listening to podcasts remains an excellent opportunity to learn from animal health pros who are pushing forward and helping to invent the next generation of animal health. Drs. Shawn Wilkie and Ivan Zakharenkov invite and discuss current and future trends while applying their veterinary and entrepreneurial experiences to the … [Read more...]
7 steps to see if your webcam has been hacked
Things like snooping, webcam hacking and location tracking happen every day, but we are still not used to taking all the warnings seriously says Clint Latham, JD. He shares steps to ensure nothing phishy is going on. If you suspect someone is accessing your webcam without your consent, don’t ignore your sixth sense.” – Clint Latham, JD Source: Lucca Veterinary Data Security. … [Read more...]
Zooming as the norm
With more people than ever working remotely, it feels like we’ve been in more meetings than normal in 2020. The desire to sync up with our teams more often when we are all working from our homes makes sense. Source: Giant Leap Consulting, September 9, 2020. Link. That is, start your meetings by making sure everyone on the call understands the Purpose, the Outcomes, and the … [Read more...]
The conversations continue at The Bridge Club and The Bridge Club Pets
The Bridge Club remains true to its origins to provide virtual opportunities to connect, engage, learn and grow. Now with a professional version and a pet owner version, the coming weeks provide opportunities for animal health pros and pet owners to meet. Click on the link below and then register by clicking on individual conversation topics. Source: The Bridge Club … [Read more...]
Improvements in overnight monitoring care
Complimentary Commercial Content from Kevin Maher, VetMeasure Overnight monitoring care is often necessary for a veterinary patient and can be difficult for the veterinary team, animal owner and the animal. Today, there are options for pet wearables that practices can use to monitor various vitals including: a patient’s axillary temperature, respiratory rate (range), and … [Read more...]
Speaking of nasal swabs, moove over
Bovine respiratory disease researchers are diligently working to reduce diagnosis time for the variety of pathogens involved with the disease. Current test results can take days to be returned. Purdue University researchers are seeking to shorten that time to about 30 minutes. Bovine respiratory disease can be triggered by a number of bacteria and viruses, making treatment … [Read more...]
Warm beer = bad vaccine?
Monitoring the performance of refrigeration units is critical to vaccines and pharmaceuticals labeled for temperature control. Older units may develop inconsistent temperature zones with items freezing in one area and getting too warm in another. The context for the article is dairy, but almost any veterinary clinic or on-farm drug storage area can have the issues shared in … [Read more...]
Lucca shares data security tools and legislation
Sponsored Content from Lucca Veterinary Data Security Clint Latham, JD, is adamant that veterinary clinics realize the importance of cyber security, understand their liabilities and use readily available tools to protect clinic data. Leaving data security to the IT guy is not enough, he says. Lucca Vet’s latest blog post explains a free security tool called Blacklight and … [Read more...]
Handling cattle the right way
With winter around the corner, beef producers are working cattle, weaning calves and moving herds as harvest progresses. Two articles from the Angus Beef Bulletin refer to handling practices and animal husbandry. While we think cattle producers should know these things, handling clinics remain popular as in-person and online events Source: Training cattle for easy handling, … [Read more...]
Top livestock genetics closer to being available for all
Scientists have created cattle, goats and pigs that can serve as viable “surrogate sires,” male animals that produce sperm carrying only the genetic trains of donor animals. Published September 14 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, this feat may speed available of desirable livestock characteristics and improve food production worldwide. The study is the … [Read more...]
Mortality is extremely complicated. So is sample size.
When conducting studies where mortality is an important outcome, let's revisit how we go about answering the question "how many?" The authors remind us that simply recognizing the limitations of our knowledge is a critical step. This leads us to their discussion on ultimately decreasing pig mortality. Some of their logic may help us better understand our current situation … [Read more...]
Tyson becomes first in U.S. to verify sustainable cattle production
The challenge of sustainability in our food supply chains requires taking care of people, the planet and animals. Many corporations are working to include sustainability as part of their corporate structures and responsibilities. Working with Where Food Comes From, the largest provider of certification and verification services to the food industry, Tyson will source cattle … [Read more...]
Stop zoning out in Zoom meetings
It is possible animal health pros are feeling Zoom-call fatigue. Sarah Gershman reminds us that being a participant requires focusing skills that are as important as it for call leaders to keep things directed. She explains how the Ringelmann Effect <link> is magnified on conference calls. The bigger the group, the less responsibility each individual feels to ensure … [Read more...]
Data owners face liability for data breach losses in cloud environs
Clint Latham, JD, outlines data breach liability, security measures required by law and the real costs of a cyberattack. He addresses data when using cloud PIMS, as well as local servers. Having effective breach management processes in place is key to mitigating a serious intrusion and reassuring clients.” – Clint Latham, JD Source: LuccaVet Blog, September 15, 2020. Link. … [Read more...]
Too many options
The information age has provided decision makers greater access to more information faster than ever before. While information is beneficial, too much of a good thing can create problems. This is where the concept of “strategic ignorance” can help decision makers succeed. Source: ideas.ted.com August 31, 2020. Link. If you’re serious about achieving goals and intentionally … [Read more...]
What have we learned from the 2020 pandemic?
“Don’t let a good crisis go to waste,” is an overused, but sometimes appropriate quote. Crises can reveal vulnerabilities in business that were otherwise hidden. These authors look at reinforcing those cracks before the next challenge emerges. The context is dairy. The value extends beyond a dairy setting. They share 15 lessons from their observations of the last few … [Read more...]
Webinar: Cowside calcium analysis and economics of subclinical hypocalcemia
Complimentary Commercial Content Deb Nickelson, DVM, invites you to attend a free webinar at 6:00 p.m., September 23, 2020. She and team her team will discuss the incidence and economics of subclinical hypocalcemia while sharing information about the development and practical use of a portable calcium analyzer for dairy cows. The analyzer was developed by Arkray Inc., a … [Read more...]
Eric Garcia joins The Bridge Club Happy Hour
The Bridge Club has hosted a virtual happy hour for industry persons on Fridays since early March. The group has grown through interactions with each other and sharing solutions to issues caused by Covid-19 restrictions, business developments and even some personal stuff. Eric Garcia will join The Bridge Club September 11, 2020 to share his perspectives on social media and … [Read more...]
VVCA post-summit reminders
Nearly a month has passed since the successful VVCA Veterinary Virtual Care Summit. It is easy to return to daily tasks and forget to use resources offered during conferences. Here are two reminders. View the dynamic content summit sponsors made available in the Summit's virtual marketplace! It's open for registered participants until November 15,2020. Link. The VVCA … [Read more...]
LuccaVet helps understand the importance of securing data
Commentary Every communication with Clint Latham, JD, seems filled with new information about his perspectives about the legal side of data security. In a blog post, he outlined items practice owners should consider, including jurisprudence considerations. The law calls for companies to implement and maintain reasonable security procedures” – Clint Latham, JD Source: … [Read more...]
The vet’s office; an economic bright spot in the U.S. health system
Animal hospitals appear to have pulled off something human hospitals have struggled to do: make patients feel comfortable seeking routine care, writes Sarah Kliff. Fueled by more comprehensive observation of pets while working from home and the massive wave of pet adoptions, volumes have taxed clinic teams nationwide. Source: New York Times, August 10, 2020. … [Read more...]
Facial, voice recognition coming soon to a farm near you
With accurate facial recognition technology for humans in almost 630 million facial recognition cameras throughout China, Chinese entrepreneurs see opportunity in applying the technology to livestock operations. Alibaba, China’s tech giant, is developing voice recognition technology for pigs to detect if they are in pain. Another company is working on an artificial intelligence … [Read more...]
Microchips that monitor temperature work, but not yet ready for primetime
The dairy industry has anxiously awaited a day when calves would pass through a gateway where RFID-enabled readers would record health metrics by individual animal. The technology exists and works to record temperature passively, but according to recent research the temperatures recorded do not yet correlate to traditional rectal temps. Source: Journal of Dairy Science, … [Read more...]