Similar to their North American counterparts, three-quarters of veterinarians in Great Britain are concerned about stress and burnout as a result of Covid-19. Six months after the initial lockdown, the British Veterinary Association took a snapshot survey to determine how the profession is dealing with veterinary. Source: Poultry News, October 29, 2020. Link. The top … [Read more...]
Search Results for: Covid-19
Covid in Animals, Review
Scott Weese, DVM, returns to the Covid-19 discussion. He is focusing on one species at a time starting with cats followed by dogs as below. Source: COVID in Animals Review Part 1: Cats, WormsandGerms Blog, October 15, 2020. Link. Cats are people too when it comes to Covid-19. . . so if a family member is being isolated, isolate the cat too” Source: COVID in Animals Review … [Read more...]
4 tips to encourage employees to get a flu vaccination
Chaz Hinkle reminds us of the importance of annual influenza vaccinations and the flu’s annual pressure on healthcare facilities and workers. The ongoing coronavirus challenge adds to the importance of getting everyone vaccinated. Source: Human Resource Executive, September 29, 2020. Link. Studies show that getting vaccinated can reduce flu illness, doctors’ visits, missed … [Read more...]
SAD: turn toward the light
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), seasonal depression or winter depression usually starts in the fall when daylight hours decrease and less temperate weather drives us inside. The American Psychiatric Association explains that SAD may arise from a biochemical imbalance in the brain prompted by fewer hours of daylight and less sunlight, which can shift the biological internal … [Read more...]
Biosecurity lessons learned from animal ag to fight COVID
It’s hard to take the lessons learned from animal ag and incorporate them into daily human life, writes Ann Reus. Even in the agri-food sector where biosecurity is almost second nature, companies are increasing their efforts to protect the health and safety of the animals and, by default, the health and safety of consumers. Source: Feed Strategy, September 24, 2020. Link. … [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...]
Infection control. Back to basics.
Commentary What? Again? Yes, absolutely! The topic of infection control and disinfection products, protocols and methods dominated media and discussions starting in February 2020. Medical and veterinary hospitals hurried to update protocols, train staff and implement checks and balances to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission. Through all the confusion, animal health … [Read more...]
Renew the discussion of standardizing veterinary technician credentials
Covid-19 has quieted the discussion of veterinary technicians versus veterinary nurses. But, the need for standardized credentials is more apparent now than a year ago. As practices expand staffing to accommodate more flexible schedules and increasing pet owner numbers, the need for veterinary technicians has increased exponentially. Kenichiro Yagi MS, RVT, VTS (ECC, SAIM), … [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...]
Normal is now. Live in it.
COMMENTARY Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has said multiple times Covid-19 will be with us deep into 2021. While it would be great if we could fill football stadiums, participate in concerts and sit next to neighbors in our favorite church pews, it is unrealistic to safely do these things for the foreseeable future. … [Read more...]
Rats on the rise during the pandemic?
Researchers at three universities indicate the number of people reporting rat sightings has increased since the Covid-19 pandemic began. Citing past examples, researchers share that rat populations increase after natural catastrophes. Source: Dairy Herd Management, August 31, 2020. Link. The two most common rats found in the United States are Norway and Black rats. Both … [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...]
Dealing with skin issues
Cliff Faver, DVM, addresses how easily pet owners get led astray when it comes to skin issues. His discussion surrounds all the advice people readily espouse on Facebook without asking basic clarifying questions. <speaking to groomers> . . . the most important job we do is restore the skin back to normal. The issue here is that the body is fighting us. That is why it is … [Read more...]
Rising mobile use among women is a concern
Working parents have been some of the hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. According to media reports, more than 50 percent of working parents are without childcare, and one in five said either they or their partner are considering leaving the workforce to care for their children. Women are reporting a 70 percent increase in mobile device usage compared to pre-pandemic and … [Read more...]
Self-care tips for coping with crisis fatigue (includes video)
Nicole Spector shares seven ways to cope with crisis fatigue, which is an effect of unrelenting stress. “Crisis fatigue is when a stressful incident becomes enduring or chronic,” Eric Zillmer, clinical psychologist, says. “The reason for this is that humans are not equipped to deal with extensive periods of stress over long periods of time. Our defensive systems are designed to … [Read more...]
Updated Veterinary COVID Guidelines
Canada’s Ontario province has been very proactive and successful in managing changes to the practice of veterinary medicine in the face of Covid-19 risks. The Ontario Veterinary Medical Association recently released its stage 3 set of recommendations for Ontario veterinary clinics. Scott Weese, DVM, says much of it applies more broadly as veterinary teams seek to balance the … [Read more...]
Utah mink test positive for coronavirus. Plague reported in Lake Tahoe.
Once again reports of zoonoses are in the news. While the source to this mink infection is not known, it seems likely small rodents or their fleas were involved with the plague case. Source: Associated Press, August 17, 2020. Link. High mortality in two mink ranches prompted testing for Covid-19 virus. Five live mink tested positive. The Utah mink farms have also reported … [Read more...]
Flu season nears. Time for a flu-shot (video)
The most powerful tool we have to combat disease is vaccination, Robert Redfield, CDC director, said during a recent interview. Flu cases are expected to start increasing early in October and could last late into May. This makes September and early October the ideal time to get your flu shot. The flu vaccine takes up to two weeks to reach peak effectiveness” Source: The … [Read more...]
3rd annual NAVC Media E-Commerce+ Summit to be (appropriately) virtual
Complimentary commercial content This year’s NAVC E-Commerce+ Summit will take place virtually September 22nd and 23rd. The speaker lineup will examine where our industry is headed, and how generational expectation differences continue to change the landscape. The conference will help you prepare for future developments. Topics include: How pets have transformed … [Read more...]
Pork backlog is moving
If you experienced some of the meat issues during the first months of Covid-19, the backlog of pig slaughter is catching up. At least the slaughter weights have returned to pre-pandemic levels. Source: Swineweb.com, August 4, 2020. Link. The author references USDA weekly metrics and discusses the situation and production changes that contribute to normalization. INSIGHTS: … [Read more...]
P.U.R.R. your way to optimal patient flow
When you are hell-bent on surviving considerable changes to how to do life, your business and meet client expectations, customer experience planning and mapping may not be a high priority. Now as the world attempts to reopen and live with Covid-19 risks, planning patient flow is an important part of progress. Claire Pickens, CVPM, SHRM-CP, CSSGB, looks at patient flow … [Read more...]
Grouchy clients, stressed staff, but business is growing
The VHMA’s tracking surveys are often revealing. June 2020 versus June 2019 numbers look strong, even in the shadow of a possible recession. Practices are reeling from the cumulative disruption from the pandemic but gaining ground against previous shortfalls. About 53 percent of practices never changed their hours of operation and another 25 percent did, but have returned to … [Read more...]
Rev up replacement heifers
Patsy Houghton, president and general manager of Heartland Cattle Co., McCook, Nebraska, gave advice for developing heifers in fall 2020, spring 2021 and beyond in a recent Angus University webinar. She offered seven challenges to help commercial cattlemen improve their replacement heifers: Place selection pressure on fertility Enhance your calf crop value Improve … [Read more...]
Quarantined farm kids captured on video
A great deal of what we see in media coverage deals with all the challenges of urban parents and their children. Farm kids have been affected by Covid-19 confines as well. Like some of their city kid friends, they add some creativity to their lives on the farm and the human animal bond is also apparent. Holly Spangler shares the fourth installment of farm kids in quarantine … [Read more...]
4 tips for marketing to millennial pet parents
Ongoing studies demonstrate some millennials distrust advertising. MWI Animal Health shares four ways animal health pros can reach this group of potential or current clients. Build meaningful relationships Meet millennials where they are with high-tech communications Establish a strong social media presence Keep the conversation going Source: MWI Animal Health, … [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...]
How vet professionals juggle kids and work
More questions than answers remain for parents as we look to the upcoming school year. Companies and parents are bracing for more childcare conflicts. With schools not fully reopening and day-care centers struggling to survive the pandemic they just don’t know what the future holds” – WSJ, July 19, 2020. Link. Understanding how peers are handling the issues may be helpful as … [Read more...]
Who is shopping for pet insurance?
Carley Lintz reviews takeaways from a recent survey of 20,000 pet owners who expressed interest in pet insurance. The results show both the importance and the urgency of having pet insurance as COVID-19 pushes many into financial insecurity, according to Woody Mawhinney of Pawlicity Advisor, the survey company < link >. We noted the dominant interest from dog owners … [Read more...]
Be sure you’re welcomed on the farm
As farmers and ranchers work to ensure employee and family safety from Covid-19, angst may be elevated for some. A recent Farm Journal survey shows 45 percent of them have reservations about allowing reps on their farms. Thirty six percent are not concerned. Source: Dairy Herd Management, July 13, 2020. Link. Which of the following would you require to allow input suppliers … [Read more...]
What is normal? And, what does it mean to me?
Covid-19 turned the world upside down. Then the death of George Floyd set it on fire. Since then it gets a daily dose of gasoline from pundits, politicians and protesters. As it burns, we wonder, “Will the world ever be normal again?” Source: Purpose Unlimited. Link. Normal is an illusion. The world has never been normal and never will be. INSIGHTS: We tend to categorize … [Read more...]