Safety as an asset is the topic for November 20th Thrive, made in the U.S.A. benefits, MetLife Pet- HABRI collaboration, marketing with TikTok, leaders transform anger and more . . . Source: IBPSA, November 11, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Katherine Polak, DVM, chosen as 2025 ICON Honoree by The Bridge Club
Kudos to Katherine Polak, DVM, MPH, MS, DACVPM, DABVP (Shelter Medicine Practice). She is the recipient of the 2025 Bridge Club ICON Award. Dr. Polak will be formally honored during The Bridge Club ICON event on January 13, 2025, in Orlando, Florida. Dr. Polak’s global contributions to animal welfare and shelter medicine, along with her tireless leadership in animal welfare … [Read more...]
What common dog training words mean (video)
Dog training has its jargon. Stephanie Gibeault, MSc, CPDT, shares common terms used in training and what they mean. Sharing the article and embedded video demonstration with dog owners on social media, in newsletters or as part of puppy classes will help them develop consistency with their pet(s). Source: AKC, April 9, 2024. Link. (14:41) … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – February 12, 2024
Affiliate marketing, Y or N? outsourcing HR, market budgeting, outreach methods by SMS or email and more . . . Note the information about IBPSA’s new membership health insurance benefit. Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, February 12, 2024. Link. An interesting interview with Royal Canin’s Kira Best is included. … [Read more...]
Fixing broken workplace culture
There is an overwhelming sense that work and the underlying relationships between employers and employees are fundamentally broken, writes Aki Ito. She says neither employers nor employees feel they're getting what they expect from the other. Ito presents mutuality and reciprocity as key elements of the psychological contract which generates the kind of trust and loyalty … [Read more...]
Chickens, coryza and its concomitant buddies
Avian infectious Coryza is a common bacterial respiratory disease affecting chickens. It typically doesn’t create high mortality, but left unchecked is hard on a flock and easily transferred to other birds. In its worst form, Coryza is found with concurrent infections from mycoplasma and E. coli and can be fatal. Coryza is spread through direct contact with infected birds and … [Read more...]
Dental chews for dogs: worth the hype
Contains Commercial References Kate Basedow, LVT, shares some of the benefits daily dental chews offer dogs but also warns about the Kcal content. She says scientific studies have shown giving a dog a dental chew every day can help: Decrease plaque and calculus (tartar) buildup Decrease gingivitis Improve bad breath Source: Whole Dog Journal, August 24, 2023. … [Read more...]
Laser therapy helps repair the damage from a dog attack on a cat
Experience from my neighborhood An indoor/outdoor cat from my neighborhood was loafing on his porch when a dog attacked it. The attending veterinary team was able to repair the immediate bites and cuts, but the 10-year-old cat was healing slowly. The cat’s owner returned to the clinic because the cat did not seem to be getting better. The clinic team began using laser … [Read more...]
Facts versus myth. Telling the story of beef sustainability.
Grilling season often elicits concerns about meat production. Sustainability, environmental perceptions and the lack of consumer education can escalate those discussions. The beef industry has responded to the criticisms assertively addressing fact versus myth and reminding consumers that beyond the meat, there are a lot of uses for cattle byproducts. We’re sharing two … [Read more...]
Learning to say NO
Saying no doesn't always feel good, and sometimes it costs us emotionally. But to successfully reach the top, we must learn how to say no without nagging regret or hurting relationships. Source: LinkedIn Pulse, May 10, 2022. Link. Sometimes, the cost of saying no will be accepting that we will inevitably disappoint others—often those whose approval matters to … [Read more...]
The science of gratitude
Whether you hope to boost your mood and mental health, protect your physical health or improve your personal relationships, a rich body of social science research has found that gratitude offers important benefits. Research shows gratitude isn’t just a pleasant feeling. Being grateful can also support greater health, happiness, and wisdom in ourselves and our … [Read more...]
Dog disorders and their frequency in pictures
Data released by Britain's VetCompass program at the Royal Veterinary College is based on a sample of 22,333 dogs in the United Kingdom and offers insight into common dog disorders. The dogs were followed for a year and had all their health issues documented. In addition to a traditional matrix, the results are documented in unique graphic form. Source: VIN News Service, … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – July 15, 2021
Last week’s most read post Society ignores low-probability events that have far-reaching consequences, Source: Animal Health Digest, July 7, 2021. Link. Become the boss of your emotions Source: Healthline, April 28, 2020. Link. The ability to experience and express emotions is more important than you might realize. The felt response to a given situation, … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – June 3, 2021
Last week’s most read posts – these two posts tied for most read These 8 expressions can make you sound insensitive at work: Source: Animal Health Digest, May 25, 2021. Link. Flexible workforces in veterinary practices might include aging boomers: Source: Animal Health Digest, May 25, 2021. Link. Best dog bones for tough chewers Source: Puppies and Pooches, … [Read more...]
Catching up with VIP’s Shawn and Dr. Ivan
Complimentary Content Shawn Wilkie and Ivan Zakharenkov, DVM, invite innovators to discuss current and future trends while applying their veterinary and entrepreneurial experiences to the discussions. For podcast fans, VIP episodes remain an excellent opportunity to learn from animal health pros who are helping invent the next generation of animal health. Source: … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – March 25, 2021
Women in beef production (slideshow) Source: BEEF, March 22, 2021. Link. According to the most recent Agriculture Census, more than 230,000 farms or ranches across America have a woman at the helm. Veterinary Inventory Strategy Network Platinum Group enrollment now open Source: VISN. Link. Enrollment to the Platinum Group ends … [Read more...]
Mini-podcast series on Covid-19 features Scott Weese, DVM
Scott Weese, DVM, is featured in a series of mini-podcasts on Covid-19 precautions in veterinary clinics produced by companion animal Ontario Animal Health Network. Each mini-podcast features a quick 3- to 5-minute “lighting round” on common questions and topics. Source: Worms and Germs Blog, February 22, 2021. Link. The mini-podcasts provide bite-sized bits for busy … [Read more...]
Break room, hallway interactions missing in today’s workplaces
Diana Shi discusses the value of serendipitous moments and interactions from daily encounters in the workplace. Whether at the water cooler, in the break room or hallway the work from home and distanced worker is less likely to experience the happy coincidence benefits of healthy teamwork and collaboration. There’s opportunity to plan for unplanned moments she says. Source: … [Read more...]
What do these animals have in common?
What do unique characteristic do sheep, horses, octopuses, goats and toads all share? Unique nasal cilia Exist on every continent Rectangular pupils Potential to transfer warts to humans None of the above Click the link to the source below for the answer. Source: Trivia Genius, ZME Science, July 22, 2020. Link. … [Read more...]
Animal health businesses ripe for ransomware attacks
Complimentary commercial content from Lucca Veterinary Data Security We asked Clint Latham to provide AHD readers with guidance on ransomware and data security. He offers three easy ways to avoid a ransomware attack that apply to all of us. . . . ransomware attacks have increased over 400 percent during Covid-19 WFH guidance” – Clint Latham Source: Lucca Vet, July 27, … [Read more...]
Slap some honey on that wound
David Ramey, DVM, breaks stride to talk about the natural healing properties associated with honey. Yes, the stuff from bees. He reviews some honey history and then digs into the chemical properties of honey which has a high sugar content, acid, and hydrogen peroxide all packaged in a gooey natural liquid that doesn’t spoil if kept airtight. Source: Horse Network, July 13, … [Read more...]
Colorado squirrel positive for bubonic plague
A squirrel tested positive for bubonic plague in Morrison, Colorado, last week. Unusual in squirrels, plague caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis is found in rodents and their associated fleas throughout the Western U.S. The report is a reminder for the growing number of people choosing camping in western U.S. parks for summer vacations and trips, regardless of their state … [Read more...]
The importance of surgical instrument reprocessing
There is heightened vigilance now on infection control, including sterilization of instruments in veterinary settings. Dan McGinley reviews some of the dos and donts about surgical instruments veterinary teams need to consider. Source: Veterinary Practice News, April 2020, page 32. Link. Also see: How often do you clean your stethoscope, Virox Animal Health. Link. Note … [Read more...]
Veterinary practice in a pandemic: 6 experiences
Brendan Howard shares a close-up look at how Covid-19 is affecting U.S. clinic finances and operations. The article underscores the diverse nature of veterinary practices, even during ordinary times. Source: VIN News Service, May 1, 2020. Link. INSIGHTS: It is good to see Brendan Howard’s byline again. … [Read more...]
BISSELL Pet Foundation cancels Blocktail Party, launches Walktail initiative
Sensitive to social distancing efforts, BISSELL Pet Foundation (BPF) has cancelled its annual Blocktail Party, its biggest fundraiser. This year, BPF is launching the Walktail Walkathon initiative in its place. With a partner network of 5,000 shelters and rescues in all 50 states, BPF has helped more than 260,000 pets through adoption, spay/neuter, microchipping and … [Read more...]
Monkey see. Monkey do: the effects of social cues on biosecurity compliance
To the detriment of animal health, humans do not always follow biosecurity protocols. Human behavioral factors have been shown to influence willingness to follow biosecurity protocols. Research from the University of Vermont underscores the importance of peer-to-peer demonstration of biosecurity measures to improve biosecurity compliance and can be simply summarized as monkey … [Read more...]
Coronavirus sweeping rural America
Animal health pros working in rural areas understand the steps needed to slow the spread of coronavirus as well as their urban colleagues. That doesn’t mean the risk of exposure to it is diminished. This article explains the merciless speed at which the virus is spreading in rural America. Source: New York Times, April 8, 2020. Link. In some places, the virus has rushed in … [Read more...]
How and where marketers are spending
About 50 percent of companies now spend 10 percent of their budgets on B2B marketing. A report from Sagefrog Marketing Group shows the marketing mix trends from a recent industry cross-section survey. Digital marketing, website development, and trade shows and events dominate budget allocations. The author noted stagnancy represented by doing what was done in the past three … [Read more...]
Opinion – Valentine’s Day spending to increase by $6.7 billion overall
In our industry that has misgivings about charging for elements of pet health care, Valentine’s Day spending may give animal health pros a different perspective. A record 27 percent of people will buy Valentine’s gifts for their pets, the highest figure in the history of the National Retail Federation survey. Each pet gift buyer will spend $12.21 on pets shares Kimberly Amadeo. … [Read more...]
Recovering from losing our cool at work
It doesn’t matter where the stress comes from. But when it builds to a blow-up at work it is time to approach the situation with humility and intention. Beginning with self assessment, Patricia Thompson offers steps to recover from the incident and repairing your reputation. . . . negative experiences are processed more thoroughly than good ones, and negative impressions are … [Read more...]