Experts from the NSA and Darktrace discuss AI, invisible security and changing passwords. Despite the best efforts of the security community, users often resist doing the work required to implement even basic security Source: Fast Company, January 7, 2019. Link. If 2018 is any indication, threats are becoming more sophisticated, harder to detect, and potentially more … [Read more...]
Researchers summarize 50 years of pathogen research
Two University of Minnesota researchers have combed through 57,000 publications to share a 10-year retrospective of disease, pathogen research and how it is prioritized. Salmonella, E. coli, influenza, pseudorabies and FMD were the top 5 most researched pathogens. Source: National Hog Farmer, December 2018, page 6. Link. We generally find a shift in the last 40 years, … [Read more...]
Ways 3D printing helped animals in 2018
From animal prosthetics to implants to even robotic assistance for bees, 3D printing has helped animals as much as it has helped people. Read standout stories from 2018 about how 3D printing has helped our animal friends to live their best lives. Source: 3D Print.com, December 24, 2018. Link. As 2019 progresses, there will undoubtedly be many more instances of 3D printing … [Read more...]
Welcoming 2019 and adjusting to changes
For some animal health pros, early 2019 will bring a period of adjustment to some of the fast-paced onslaught of changes that started last year. Whether in practice ownership, cannabis laws or almost everything else, the past year brought upheaval to the profession, making it a microcosm of the world at large. Edie Lau Source: VIN News Service, December 31, 2018. Link. … [Read more...]
New tracker technology for cows resembles fitness trackers
A new type of fitness tracker may help farmers keep track of their livestock. The new technology, in the form of a smart ear tag, produces similar data to those delivered by consumer smart watches. GPS enabled, the high-tech ear tag allows farmers to track the location of individual animals remotely via internet capabilities. Source: BEEF, December 7, 2018. … [Read more...]
CRM is not dead
Succeeding today means developing and nurturing relationships more than it references efficiency, writes Denis Pombriant. He shares perspectives on why CRM is still important. If you haven't rethought your CRM deployment in a while, or if you thought you had everything done; think again. Source: CRM Buyer, December 1, 2018. Link. INSIGHTS: There’s little doubt large … [Read more...]
Replicating the cleaning power of cats’ tongues
What scientists study is amazing. Add technology and a 3D printer and the cleaning power of a cat’s tongue becomes a viable product development opportunity. A cleaning brush inspired by new research on the unique structure of a cat’s tongue is on the way. Source: AAHANEWStat, November 29, 2018. Link. Cats’ scratchy tongues enable them to keep themselves so clean. … [Read more...]
Music that helps you be more productive
Jared Lindzon writes about music in the workplace and its influence on productivity. The choices must address human and animal needs in animal health facilities. We’ve added sources for your consideration that address productivity, personnel and animals. ¯ . . . music is preferred over any other background noise in the workplace. . . A continually changing music stream is … [Read more...]
Opinion – Healthcare disruption trends may impact animal health
The article referenced sheds insight on how human medicine development might play out in animal health. . . . technology and cost pressures are causing a“shift left” in health care... Technology is transforming how we do business at a remarkable pace and breadth of innovation, from vertical integration to virtual reality. A POLITICO working group brought together a group … [Read more...]
Tufts, the future of feline health
More than 90 percent of cats seen in clinics are the result of random breeding. Jerold S. Bell, DVM, reviews common feline diseases and notes that many of them are the result of genetic predispositions and will most likely appear in other cats unless we take long-term measures. Pressure needs to be put on the cat breeding community so that it recognizes that the consumer is … [Read more...]
Virtual work skills we all need
It is routine that some interactions are virtual for all animal health pros. Examples include: Field sales phoning to manage an order with an inside sales personInside sales contacting a customer to verify a size, quantity or promotional offer before shipping an orderClinic personnel contacting animal owners to verify appointmentsTelemedicine tools Training via … [Read more...]
Texas landowners get feral hog reporting tool
Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute has released a new online tool <link> to help in the growing effort to control the feral hog population in the state. The wild pig website offers Texas landowners and homeowners an easy-to-use tool to report sightings of feral hogs and the damage they may have caused. Source: National Hog Farmer, November 29, 2018. … [Read more...]
The silky, Milky, totally strange saga of the spider goat
This is not click bait! It’s a transgenic story of something that seems to be going right and a potential source of natural fibers that are stronger than Kevlar. The only outward difference between spider goats and your garden-variety ruminants is in their milk: It contains elements of golden orb spider silk. Source: Modern Farmer, September 2013. Link. This special silk is … [Read more...]
Pheromones effective at decreasing feline aggression
Hiss, yowl, sphftt, thump, pow, schzip! In multi-cat households the sounds often remind owners of superhero TV. Owners now have a stress-reducing options. A recent study in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery looked at the effectiveness of using pheromone diffusers for aggression in multi-cat households. They discovered that cats exposed to feline-appeasing pheromones … [Read more...]
More than backup needed for good computer security
There is no 100 percent guarantee to make computers and networks secure,. However, you can take steps to provide reasonable security, writes Joseph Axne. He offers seven areas to determine if your hospital or business has security gaps that need filling. Source: Today’s Veterinary Business, December 2018/January 2019, page 8. Link. Using a layered approach to computer … [Read more...]
Upgrading client reminders
Reminders remain a significant component for ensuring veterinary clients return to the practice. Brenda Tassava, CVPM, CVJ, VLCE, discusses mixing the old with the new methods and provides a refreshed reminder strategy complete with tactical elements and timelines. She also discusses the value of forward bookings in the context of reminders. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, … [Read more...]
3 things all emails should include
You probably don’t put much thought into crafting an email. This means it’s likely you are making some potentially embarrassing mistakes. Most of us have not been trained on crafting good emails making them ripe for misuse. As communication tools like instant messaging are added to the workplace, the purpose and strength of email has started to shift, says Nick Morgan. ““Text … [Read more...]
5 problems with inventory—and ways to solve them
Nicole Clausen, CSGGB, brings inventory management back to basics and shares five problems and how to address them. Is your problem “too much” or “not enough”? Is your problem “too many”? Is your problem “too price-y”? Is your problem “not enough info”? Is your problem “not enough money”? Source: VETTED, October 17, 2018. Link. Inventory is like a … [Read more...]
Dog DNA tests, valuable or just more confusion
A growing number of veterinary clients bring DNA reports with them to appointments. These tests are not subject to standards or regulations to ensure they are accurate or reliable. Finding a veterinarian that can interpret the reports is yet another issue. Sarah Zhang has written a situation analysis that has value for animal health pros. Source: The Atlantic, November … [Read more...]
How Amazon may shape the packaging of products you sell
Tide just announced its new Eco-Box, an alternative to the classic bottle of laundry detergent. It’s still soap. It is also a look as to how Amazon and other e-commerce retailers are dictating what stuff looks like. This new box is designed to work well with e-commerce, ship well and be more environmentally friendly. It ships without secondary boxing or bubblewrap, is lighter … [Read more...]
Eye-in-the-sky hired help works for cattle producers
Drones provide potential for practical applications beef producers, according to Amanda Radke. She discusses four ways that a drone could enhance management practices on ranches. Collect more data with much less labor Aerial maps can improve land management practices Monitor livestock, fences and water sources Collect data on individual animals While drones … [Read more...]
Considering blood pressure with routine exams
When it comes to veterinary patient care, blood pressure is seldom included in a routine preventive physical examination. Brenda Tassava, CVPM, CVJ, VLCE, discusses the benefits, challenges and establishing protocols. This is a great topic for a team meeting. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, October 2018. Link. Take Action notes: As a team, consider cases where BP … [Read more...]
Put your phone down (includes video)
Emerging research shows that even the simple presence of a cell phone, much less its glowing screen and constant beeps, interrupts our ability to connect. Though it may seem awkward and uncomfortable, our collective response to these behaviors will establish new norms of modern courtesy. Source: Ascend. Link. Consider setting rules for phone use during meetings. Agree to … [Read more...]
Opinion – Determining how often sales reps should call on customers
J. Michael Marks tackles a frequently contemptuous topic about distribution sales representatives. . . . in my experience, most sales reps are market-servers, not market-makers. . . we’ve found that 95% of what customers buy from distributors they have bought before. The devil is in the details in this reference. How one defines sales really determines whether Marks’ … [Read more...]
Technology trend: Teledentistry expands preventive care
This article is thought-provoking given the new efforts in veterinary telemedicine. Minnesota’s dental industry is returning to a high-tech solution known as teledentistry, which allows dental hygienists to provide preventive care at low cost while supervised electronically by dentists at a different location. The trend comes as dental hygienists are taking on a greater share … [Read more...]
Employee safety, animal welfare drive invention of first robotic cattle driver
Cargill, with the help of renowned animal behavior specialist Temple Grandin and other experts, has created the industry’s first robotic cattle mover that improves animal welfare and employee safety. The robots move cattle from holding pens to harvest areas and reduce stress by limiting animal interaction with humans. Employees operate the robots from catwalks above the holding … [Read more...]
Brush up on measuring blood pressure
Whether in general practice settings or emergency or critical care environments, blood pressure measurement is used as a diagnostic tool. Oriana D. Scislowicz, LVT, provides an opportunity for veterinary nurses and clinic staff to brush up on their skills. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, October 2018. Link. Take action notes: Include blood pressure measurement as a … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club celebrates veterinary techs every day of National Veterinary Technician week
The Bridge Club kicks off five consecutive days of technician-centric conversations focused on work/life balance on Monday October 15th. The schedule and links are below: OCTOBER 15, NOON CST – VET TECH WEEK: WORKING MORE THAN ONE JOB? YES, YOU CAN STILL BE SUCCESSFUL. Is work/life balance achievable? Hear from Julie Legred, CVT, and Beckie Mossor, RVT. <Register … [Read more...]
Thinking equipment before year end
The fourth quarter of each year brings thoughts of end-of-year inventories and opportunities to use Section 179 of the IRS code. It provides incentives for all types of veterinary equipment purchases. Pam Foster writes about how equipment features, function and capabilities have changed over the past decade with some expert help from Rick Warter, of MWI Animal … [Read more...]
A look at Amazon in the pet consumables market
Zak Watts and Mike Bassani, director and consumables lead for Amazon Pets respectively, joined presenters during the inaugural NAVC E-Commerce Summit that took place September 19 in Kansas City. Amazon defines consumables as food and healthcare products such as parasite prevention and litter will be Amazon’s focus. Other pet items are available, but will not be critical. The … [Read more...]