As if dogs needed more incentive to chew shoes, Oscar Mayer teamed up with Black Ops Productions to create 1,500 pairs of limited-edition shoelaces cold-smoked with Hardwood Smoked Bacon to capture their scent. Source: ADWEEK, March 26, 2021. Link. Fans have until April 1 to tweet with the hashtags #OscarCookMyKicks and #Sweepstakes. … [Read more...]
How to help a dog with separation anxiety
Complimentary Sponsored Content Claire Walther, DVM, shares three ways to address separation anxiety: environmental management, behavior modification and pharmaceutical options. Walther is a Zoetis Petcare medical lead. Source: Zoetis Petcare. Link. Changes in a dog’s life can also trigger separation anxiety even if they haven’t had problems with it before. Even changes … [Read more...]
Omnichannel, asynchronous, decision support, home delivery terms of future pet business
Opinion Changes to the ways we live and work could mean years of extra business for pet supply stores, says Erich Schwartzel. His article prompts reflection on how we got here from an animal health supply and services standpoint. Source: The long tail of the pandemic puppy business, Wall Street Journal, March 26, 2021. Link. Petco, the animal-supply retailer, was a … [Read more...]
Spring into horse care as weather warms
Complimentary Commercial Content from SmartPak Christine Barakat and Dusty Perin cover laminitis prevention to mud management to vaccination scheduling in this volume of EQUUS Extra. Items include: 14 things to do for your horse this season Spring horse keeping priorities Reduce the risk of laminitis Source: EQUUS Extra, Volume 40, Spring 2020. … [Read more...]
Chatfields’ introduce new podcast
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...]
Optimal nutrition calculators for cats and dogs available
OPINION Pet owners are responsible for their pets’ proper nutrition. Too often we hear questions about specific brands of pet food wanting a yes or no answer. The same goes for treat brands and then there are table scraps. Bottom-line, daily Kcal (calorie) calculations are important before brand discussion, although a proper assessment may identify the need for … [Read more...]
Why vet med might really kill you: Dr. Jen’s Top 5 deadliest pathogens
Sponsored Content Dr. Jen the Vet recently shared her video presentation about zoonotic diseases. Sponsored by Virox Technologies® her presentation was part of the recent Viticus Animal Health Virtual Summit. . . . while this video is focused on veterinary medicine and those working in animal health, the information is just as useful for pet parents! - Jenifer Chatfield, … [Read more...]
Winnie the Pooh’s timeless resilience tips
Oh, bother!” – Winnie the Pooh Nearly 100 years since he was created, Pooh’s simple wisdoms still make us think about the importance of friendship, love and courage. Karen Nimmo shares the best of Pooh-isms still relevant in 2021. Source: Medium, January 21, 2021. Link. Could be worse. Not sure how, but it could be.” — Eeyore … [Read more...]
Capability building should be a strategic weapon in business
OPINION Almost every week we see articles promoting using veterinary staff more effectively. It takes time and trust to progressively delegate tasks to professional or support staff. The real-world use of skilled professionals is not plug and play. It is a long-term effort to develop and improve skills of team members at all levels. Liz Hilton Segel discusses the … [Read more...]
Hoo-WHOoo won the 2020 World Nature Photography Awards?
We’ve never met an animal health pro who did not appreciate nature photography. We’re sharing this post first. Enjoy! The mission of the World Nature Photography Awards is to celebrate the world’s best nature photographers while showcasing nature’s beauty to a wider audience. Source: World Nature Photography Awards. Link. In 2021, WNPA will continue to support two climate … [Read more...]
National Pet Dental Health month is over. What’s the message now?
Opinion A leading veterinary professional is focusing on oral care at home. But are clients getting the message? A recent experience indicates oral care is not top of mind*. Johnathon R. (Bert) Dodd, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC, shares the importance of oral health care for pets. He focuses on gingivitis, daily oral care at home and annual teeth cleanings by veterinarians. . . . … [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...]
Understanding insulin resistance in horses
Complimentary Sponsored Content from Kentucky Performance Products, LLC. One of the more common metabolic problems horses develop involves insulin, the hormone that enables the body to use glucose. This edition of EQUUS Extra explores how insulin resistance develops in horses, what can be done about it and how this problem increases the risk of laminitis and other … [Read more...]
Human grade dog chow may aid in digestion
Opinion We noticed this article in VPN and an industry colleague’s post. The second one made me look for something about consumable nutrients instead of fecal volume comparisons. It is important to review the study abstract <Link> to understand the study hypothesis. We did not access the full study. A new comparison study out of the University of Illinois has found … [Read more...]
The nose really knows! A personal experience with a new pup.
Opinion includes Complimentary Commercial Content Ceva Animal Health U.S. was a founding sustaining sponsor during Animal Health Digest’s early years. Back then, we offered AHD readers resources on semiochemicals and pheromones, including the vomeronasal organ, and how pheromone science can provide options to reduce the negative effects of emotional responses in our … [Read more...]
Dogs are more than men’s and women’s best friends
Complimentary Content Ceva Animal Health, an early supporter of AHD, recognizes the need for a ‘One Welfare’ approach that recognizes the importance of considering the wellbeing of people and animals. This blog post highlights four global initiatives and partnerships with multi-disciplinary teams of scientists Ceva is working with to generate evidence that demonstrates … [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...]
AASV attendees learn value of accelerated hydrogen peroxide’s effectiveness against ASFv
Sponsored Content During the recent AASV annual meeting, Jose Ramirez, MS, PhD, shared the recent validation of Intervention® efficacy versus the African Swine Flu Virus. Its subsequent U.S. EPA approval provides producers and veterinarians with a superior alternative to fight environmental contamination by ASFV. He presented the practical considerations of field use and the … [Read more...]
There is a difference between meteorological and astronomical spring
Opinion Who knew? I didn’t until I saw a piece about meteorological and astronomical spring on local news. According to National Centers for Environmental Information, the meteorological seasons were created because traditional seasons varied in length from 89 to 93 days and it was difficult for experts to compare statistics from one year to another. Source: … [Read more...]
6 tips for properly vaccinating beef cattle
Complimentary Sponsored Content John Currin, DVM, and Jody Wade, DVM team up in this article to provide insight on best practices for vaccine administration. The practices they outline are good reminders as spring calves are born: Store, mix and handle vaccines according to label directions Choose an appropriate needle size Administer products according to labeled … [Read more...]
Texans rescue cold-stunned sea turtles
The extreme cold temperatures in Texas caused significant cold stunning in the Padre Island area. Volunteers and Sea Turtle Inc., staff members managed the influx of green turtles, Kemp’s ridley turtles and loggerhead turtles. More than 4,000 turtles were rescued. Getting them warm was a huge undertaking. Source: Texas Monthly, February 17, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Veterinary resource library supports pet health insurance discussions
Complimentary Content – Part 4 of February 2021 series Data featured in this month’s posts about research conducted by Dr. Wendy Hauser’s team are compelling and indicate potential benefits for insured pets, pet owners, veterinary team members and practices. <Link>. The results also indicate the need for a strategic approach to comfortably include pet health insurance … [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...]
Dogs load bucking bulls in the open
This is how one cattle rancher loads bucking bulls. He never leaves his horse, nor uses a corral; just an open trailer and four, well-trained cattle dogs. Put your own twist on this as you please and enjoy! Source: Mel’s video of the day. Link. … [Read more...]
Overcoming barriers in cost-of-care conversations
Complimentary Sponsored Content – Part 3 of a February 2021 series In the first two posts <post-1> <post-2>, study results reported by Wendy Hauser, DVM, and team indicate clients and veterinary team members feel better when proactive education about pet health insurance occurs and demonstrated a strong correlation between insured pets and the care these pets … [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...]
Justine Lee, DVM, discusses Leptospirosis sp. on Pet Life Radio
Complimentary In a recent episode of ER VET, Dr. Justine Lee, DACVECC, DABT, discussed canine leptospirosis. She says, “If your dog lives in the city and weighs ten pounds or more it is at risk. Tune in to learn about this deadly disease!” Resources like this are great for client education, social media posts and newsletters. Source: Pet Life Radio, ER Vet. Link. The … [Read more...]
Proactively educating clients about pet health insurance impacts the CARE pets receive
Complimentary Sponsored Content – Part 2 of a February 2021 series In the first post, a study by Wendy Hauser, DVM, and team, <link> showed clients and veterinary team members felt better about pet health insurance discussions when done proactively. In this second post we review the effects of how proactive pet health insurance client education impacts the care … [Read more...]