Pet owners worldwide are reporting some of their pets are acting weird while under quarantine. They’re getting clingy, running on countertops and shooting evil stares at humans. It’s not known if the quarantine is causing pet anxieties, but displacement behaviors, the tics pets develop to cope with new stressors, may be the result. Source: Vox, April 24, 2020. Link. In dogs … [Read more...]
Search Results for: covid-19
The perfect place
The news is filled with stories of the suffering and death caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. We want things to be normal again. In a perfect world, no one would suffer or struggle — but that’s not normal. Source: Purpose Unlimited: Link. Perfect can be defined as being entirely without fault or defect. When used as a verb, perfect (emphasis on the second syllable) means … [Read more...]
We ARE living the new normal – Part 3, biosecurity strategies ensure progress
COMMENTS Biosecurity is not new to animal health pros. It is central to successfully providing safe care for animals and their owners. Diseases such as rabies, distemper, parvovirus, hog cholera, bird flu, leptospirosis, PEDV, PRRS, salmonella and BVD have pushed us to focus on optimizing infection controls, using quarantine areas and hospital pens in concert with … [Read more...]
We ARE living the new normal – Part 1, situation analysis
Comments Change management experts are returning to their themes of adaptability, including life and business always accepting change as a constant. In some ways it is refreshing. Yet the day-to-day strategy changes, coupled with statistical analysis have most people running in place awaiting what comes next. From what has been published in recent weeks related to … [Read more...]
Look out for misuse of ivermectin
What happens in a petri dish does not indicate efficacy or safety when used off label in humans warns, the FDA in reference to an Antiviral Research article. Animal health professionals should be on the lookout for the potential misuse of a human- and animal-prescribed antiparasitic drug thought to be a possible treatment for COVID-19. Source: Veterinary Practice News, April … [Read more...]
American Heartworm Society issues guidance for pandemic
Conditions under which a veterinarian can delay annual heartworm tests during the Covid-19 crisis is just one of the topics covered in new recommendations released by the American Heartworm Society. Source: Veterinary Practice News, April 7, 2020. Link. The recommendations explore: scenarios when a veterinarian can delay annual heartworm tests, but can still prescribe … [Read more...]
New habits, new normal? Halfway there? What will you keep?
Commentary In the midst of managing COVID-19’s impact, it is time to discuss the changes we’ve made in the context of what we wish to keep in a new normal. It takes days 21 days to make or break a habit and 90 days for it to become permanent” During a recent Zoom meet-up, I was taken by comments shared about positive experiences in the last weeks. The context was as if … [Read more...]
We don’t know what normalcy will be
No one can say what a return to normalcy will look like, how long it will take to get there or if normal like 2019 is even achievable. New York Times Emily Bazelon moderated a panel discussion to seek answers and weigh morality. Five experts talked about the principles and values that will determine the choices. SOURCE: New York Times, April 10, 2020. Link. In the longer … [Read more...]
Fomites, pets, and transmission
Information and risk messaging about pet-to-human transmission may change as more information is collected. For now, there is no evidence that pets can serve as fomites for SARS-CoV-2. However, measures to prevent a pet becoming a fomite are important. Source: Clinician’s Brief, April 8, 2020. Link. Also see: COVID-19 in animals: Living systematic review, Worms & … [Read more...]
Clean and disinfect horse barns the right way
Barb Crabbe, DVM, shares valuable information about horse barn cleanup in the face of an equine disease outbreak and in the context of everyday stable maintenance. It is a timely article for horse owners to consider as spring arrives and barn activities increase. Source: Horse and Rider, November 27, 2019. Link. Recent studies indicate equine influenza virus can be spread as … [Read more...]
Before I die
Most of us don’t think about death, except in times of crisis and we are living in one of those times. The Covid-19 pandemic is a reminder that we can die at any time. Source: Purpose Unlimited. Link. It’s hard to not think about death when we are bombarded with daily updates of the coronavirus death toll. But what better time for each of us to consider what we are doing … [Read more...]
Social distancing algorithms for veterinary teams
Six feet may not be enough, according to recent CDC information < link >. So, what are veterinary teams to do when essential services need to be performed? Social distancing algorithms have been developed for companion animal practices’ interactions to help prevent fomite transfer between pet owners and team members. It’s not perfect, but like so many prevention efforts, … [Read more...]
Coronavirus on its way
Just because you’ve not seen it yet, doesn’t mean you’re out of the woods. If you’re in the wait and see group, this resource may change your mind. With few geographic exceptions, coronavirus is on the way to your location. Disease modelers at the University of Texas at Austin simulated the spread of the outbreak in every United States county to determine the most likely … [Read more...]
Recalibrate: Thrive to survive.
Sixty days ago, we were discussing how to thrive in a competitive industry. Now, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, we need ways to survive. Thankfully, the thrive model has application in a survival environment. It just needs to be recalibrated. Source: Vet-Advantage, February 2020. Link. What are their aspirations? Objectives? Every practice owner is not necessarily … [Read more...]
Flea and tick wars: the time is NOW
Leigh Hofmeister, DVM, provides a short history of flea and tick challenges before the modern-day preventatives hit the marketplace. She compares oral and topical forms and reinforces the need for clients to use them to protect their pets. Let’s try to keep the flea and tick wars between brands and not return the battleground to the environment versus the pet. Reports in … [Read more...]
Fomite control: you, me, us, them, plus where they have been
Fomite: fo-mite Noun (plural fomites) (medicine, epidemiology). def: An inanimate object capable of carrying infectious agents (such as bacteria, viruses and parasites), and thus passively enabling their transmission between hosts. < link > Media coverage, though sometimes raucous, is a necessary tool to help communicate the importance of the need for societal … [Read more...]
Pet grooming businesses deemed non-essential. Need some extra help?
Original content Groomers have been shut down by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, animal shelters, pet supply retailers and veterinary clinics may need temporary help during this crisis. Groomers could provide temporary support to help receive animals from owners’ cars, infection control processes, bath prepping, home deliveries and more. These animal health professionals … [Read more...]
BabelBark/BabelVet® announces free support to transition to telehealth
Complimentary Sponsored Content Fueled by shelter-in-place orders and social distancing recommendations, medical professionals are turning to telehealth platforms to maintain client-patient interactions and screen to determine if a physical visit is needed. Telehealth in today’s COVID-19 context is relatively new. Vertical integration is a mainstay of platforms in general, … [Read more...]
Don’t try to fix anything right now
The ability to sit with uncertainty is a valuable asset. In these unpredictable times, it is a necessity, writes Kathleen Smith, PhD. She shares two steps to cultivate a skill that has never been more vital: Recognize your anxiety fixing Work on your cognitive flexibility Source: FORGE, March 23, 2020. Link. You can’t control the future, but you can begin to work on … [Read more...]
Been there. Done that. But, have you recently?
Our world IS scrambling to deal with immediate and mid-term fallout caused by COVID-19. We are dealing with a global five-alarm fire. Local levels, however, may only be a one- or two-alarm fire that can be managed proactively. Proactivity requires setting priorities. It may have been years since you were trained on the urgent/important principle President Dwight D. … [Read more...]
Feline antiviral drug for FeLV, FIP is now being tested against SARS-CoV-2
A Singapore startup is testing its antiviral drug, RetroMAD1, against the SARS-CoV-2 beta-coronavirus that causes COVID-19. A spokesperson for Biovalence Technologies, the company that developed the drug, believes its drug could treat Covid-19. He said several scientific papers had revealed that a specific mutation of Sars-CoV-2 bears similarity to how dengue, Ebola, FeCoV and … [Read more...]
Getting our minds around pandemics and their history
Context is key when seeking to understand how our current situation with SARS-CoV-2 fits in the overall view of pandemics. The selections below warrant a hard look. “F-E-A-R has two meanings: 'Forget Everything and Run' or 'Face Everything and Rise.' The choice is yours.” – Zig Ziglar Source: Visualizing the history of pandemics, Visual Capitalist, March 14, 2020. … [Read more...]
AVMA advocating for veterinary practices as essential businesses
Although many businesses have temporarily closed, the AVMA is advocating for veterinary hospitals and ambulatory practices to be considered essential businesses and remain open during periods of mandated business closures, This is because veterinary hospitals “provide important animal and public health surveillance, deliver essential medical care for ill animals, and ensure … [Read more...]
Preparing for the legal consequences of cancellations
Attorneys have been busy since the first whisper of the word pandemic. With much of the world in social isolation, Loren G. Edelstein, an insurance recovery attorney, says it is the time to consider whether you’ll recover any losses or even face litigation related to COVID-19 contagion linked to recent meetings. Source: Northstar Meetings Group, March 16, 2020. Link. Just … [Read more...]
How employers can manage employees during the coronavirus crisis
HRE provides a snapshot discussion of the impact of COVID-19 from an employer perspective. Privacy and nondiscrimination should be chief priorities as organizations grapple with the growing crisis. Source: Human Resource Executive, March 4, 2020. Link. Employers must be mindful of all legal obligations and cannot prioritize employee health and safety over providing a … [Read more...]
Understand how to manage employee safety
Wondering how to manage employee safety and sick leave during the coronavirus pandemic? You should. Employers are obligated to protect their workers from communicable diseases and should follow the CDC's recommendations, including: Encouraging employees with respiratory illness to stay home Be prepared to separate sick employees Routinely clean frequently touched … [Read more...]
Telemedicine is getting a big thumbs-up from veterinary practices
Today’s Veterinary Business asked people to talk about what they’re seeing and hearing as the United States deals with the COVID-19 pandemic. Some hospitals are putting remote consultations to greater use, meeting clients in parking lots and doubling down on cleaning and sanitizing. Source: Today’s Veterinary Business, March 2020. Link. Mia Cary, DVM. shared this. I’m seeing … [Read more...]
Accurate information during pandemic is critical
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, accurate and timely information is particularly critical. Although businesses may be focused internally on managing their business and staff during this period, focusing on communication with customers and clients remains important, too. Twitter offers suggestions for business communication via social media channels at this … [Read more...]
You, me, us, and them as SARS-CoV-2 disrupts our world
CORONA VIRUS PANDEMIC EDITION These days of myriad, progressing and conflicting COVID-19 articles, blog posts and news releases should be the stuff on which a curation business thrives. The AHD team will do our best to provide factual SARS-CoV-2 material that supports our objective to focus on sharing actionable information in the context of how animal health pros live, work … [Read more...]
Pet care tasks often overlooked
In the midst of the COVID-19 disruption lies opportunity. With door traffic slow, staff can be redirected to conduct outreach. With more pet owners homebound and accessible by phone, addressing overlooked pet care tasks could produce great results. Kerri Fivecoat-Campbell shares tips from veterinarians about often overlooked pet care tasks. From flea, tick and heartworm … [Read more...]