Looking backwards is most valuable when it helps you focus forward. The top 10 list featured in this article reflects the continual need for practical solutions, as well as basic education. The review of metrics is also an eye-opener for animal health pros at all levels. Source: Beef, December 29, 2016. Here are a few facts from the digital world of Beef. In 2016, over 2.3 … [Read more...]
Search Results for: most read
Social video viewing enhances purchasing
Animal health pros use social media routinely. Yet, the use of video to educate and influence customer buying decisions has not become mainstream during sales calls or follow-up communications. According to new research commissioned by Brightcove, Inc., 74 percent of consumers say there is a connection between watching a video on social media and their purchasing … [Read more...]
There’s a fix for weak Wi-Fi
A strong Wi-Fi signal is important at a time when the number of Wi-Fi–enabled devices that use the internet is growing, no matter what they’re used for. A new type of Wi-Fi system is now available—a mesh network that overcomes many drawbacks of the old-style routers that most of us have in our homes or small businesses. Source: Bottom Line, December 1, 2016. Because Wi-Fi … [Read more...]
DVM 360 shares its Top-Ten lists
The Top 10 List was a regular segment of the television programs Late Night with David Letterman and the Late Show with David Letterman. Our animal health colleagues at UBM Americas, Veterinary (DVM 360) have created their own versions of the top 10 lists from their readership. They sent the links for us to share. Source: DVM 360, December 2016. Top ten lists from UBM … [Read more...]
New canine blood bank to serve DFW metroplex
When dogs undergo surgery or get hurt in accidents, they sometimes need emergency transfusions. Canine Blood Heroes is opening its first Texas location. It will operate from the Animal Emergency Hospital of North Texas in Grapevine. Once stocked, the facility will serve animal hospitals in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Source: pressreader, November 12, 2016 and Dallas Morning … [Read more...]
Sales increase when using real-time customer data
Forrester Research, Inc., reported findings from a new, summarized in a report titled How B2B Sellers Win in the Age of the Customer. Sellers using what the study calls an evolved selling model had better results, which the report attributed to four key factors. They are: the ability to assemble and present content from various online sources on the fly the seller’s … [Read more...]
6 steps to take before VFD becomes effective
Much has been written about VFD including these five posts on Animal Health Digest: More on VFD FDA pilot program begins on-farm VFD inspections VFD tools for clients available for free Apiary owners must bee ready for VFD Common VFD form format part of FDA final guidelines This great infographic reminds producers of the steps that need to be taken pretty … [Read more...]
Hispennials represent tremendous opportunity
Almost 60 percent of the 55 million Hispanics in the United States today are millennials or younger. Their shopping and buying habits are different than their non-Hispanic counterparts, according to the latest HispanicLink™ findings from IRI, a marketing research firm. Convenience and ease of shopping are important, as are online deals and in-store engagement associated with … [Read more...]
Editorial – Meeting the challenges of curation
Animal Health Digest is a curation service. One source defines a content curator as someone who continually finds, groups, organizes and shares the best and most relevant content on a specific issue online. That is what we do at AHD. We sift through more than 150 media sources on a day-by-day basis. While you do your jobs, we read for you, determine what content is most … [Read more...]
Self-talk is worth understanding
The responses to information about managing ourselves, teams and relationships continue to top the list of most-read posts at AHD. Bob Stahl explains how paying attention to your internal dialogue can free you from you self-doubt and help you become familiar with your own personal brand of autopilot. Source: Mindful, September 12, 2016. When you begin to bring mindfulness … [Read more...]
2-step calf weaning
Pressure from consumer groups challenges all levels of food animal care. It also makes our industry consider other ways to approach “what we already know.” Our team liked this article as it challenges the nomenclature for shipping fever and introduces a possible solution that more closely fits natural herd behaviors. “There is no event we impose on cattle more stressful than … [Read more...]
Anthropocene epoch defined by chicken bones
In contrast to the dinosaurs (Cretaceous period), some species, with human help, have spread rapidly across the world. Despite being domesticated thousands of years ago, it is only since the mid-20th century that mass poultry production has spread across the world. Production and consumption of chicken meat is forecast to continue growing, making its presence in future fossil … [Read more...]
It’s a lousy time of year
Cooler weather brings a greater risk of lice. The USDA estimates that U.S. livestock producers lose $125 million each year to it. Protecting cattle includes understanding the life cycle of lice, recognizing the potential damage and using effective methods of control. If not controlled, a single adult female in September can result in approximately 1 million lice by … [Read more...]
Booster vaccinations for beef calves questioned
Proven protocols, even booster vaccinations, are under full scrutiny these days. As vaccine technology advances, the need for these vaccinations is being questioned. Most protocols developed by marketing programs and manufacturers continue to include booster vaccinations as standard practice. However, more of today’s vaccines do not offer label instructions to repeat … [Read more...]
The 3 Cs of cat care
Most cats do not get proper care, even when it is readily available. No matter where we fit in the various channels-of-influence, enabling proper cat care is improves their life quality, avoids a cat population becoming a vector for zoonotic disease and strengthens the animal care economy. Last week we posted Get a handle on cats which referenced various feline care … [Read more...]
What’s trending at Animal Health Digest
Every market creates its version of the top five or 10 list. Our Animal Health Digest team uses views and clicks to understand what our subscribers read. The results shape the focus of what we “read for animal health professionals.” AHD is a free service for all levels of personnel in our industry. The AHD Bulletin is published weekly and delivered on Thursdays via email. We … [Read more...]
Trichomoniasis is still big trouble
Trichomoniasis could be the most economically damaging disease cow-calf producers face. The trich pathogen, Trichomonas foetus, is a single-cell protozoa, transmitted through sexual contact. Bulls are the primary sources for spreading the disease. Thus, testing bulls is the most effective means of controlling or eliminating trich from cow-calf herds. Source: Bovine … [Read more...]
Canadian wood bison reproduced in vitro
Four wood bison calves were born at the University of Saskatchewan Western College of Veterinary Medicine’s Native Hoofstock Center in July. Three of the calves were born using in vitro fertilization. The fourth calf was produced from a frozen embryo that was taken from a bison cow in 2012 and transferred to a surrogate mother in 2015. Both are reproductive firsts for the bison … [Read more...]
Henry Schein leader shares global perspectives
Peter McCarthy oversees Henry Schein’s global animal health business. He shares perspectives about global commonalities, market shifts, alternative sources and corporatization. Source: Vet Advantage, July 2016, page 22. …the veterinarian running his/her practice has an increasing interest in what’s happening around the world, how consumers are looking after their animals … [Read more...]
Make a list of unethical things you’ll never do
Most people want to make a positive difference and remain ethical. But, it is easy to take shortcuts, cheat or stretch the truth. Like it or not, cellphone cameras make our behaviors more easily scrutinized today than ever before. We like this exercise of writing down what you won’t do. See what you think. Source: Harvard Business Review, May 30, 2016. Write a list of … [Read more...]
Are corticosteroid injections ethical?
Corticosteroid joint injections have long been used to treat joint pain and inflammation in horses. Recently, there have been questions regarding their ethical usage, predominantly in the racing industry. While many professionals use the drugs in moderation and as a last resort, some still use them to keep potentially unsound horses racing. Several states have tightened … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – 3 cybersecurity tips can help secure data
Securing clinic data is critical to general business practices and to ensure client, employee and third-party vendor data remain confidential. In our second installment about cybersecurity, Terrie Bonfiglio offers three, common-sense tips to keep data thieves out of your system. Source: Learn 3 cybersecurity tips in 10 minutes via InfoGPS Networks, April 2016. However, your … [Read more...]
Live a less distracted life
Thirty percent of daily productivity is lost by checking email within the first 30 minutes of waking up. Read about The 4 P’s of managing for a less distracted life: psychology, physiology, performance and persuasiveness from Tracy Dowdy, CVPM. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, April 2016. Research shows getting more than 8 hours of sleep a night improves memory, performance, … [Read more...]
Horse eyes: know the basics
Equine eyes are fascinating structures. They have unique attributes and are highly complex. Most eye injuries require veterinary attention, but knowing some of the basics about how horse eyes work is beneficial. Read how David Ramey, DVM, describes how horses see, if they can see colors and much more basic information about equine eyes. Source: David Ramey, DVM, April 10, … [Read more...]
Laminitis – special report
Horse owners will read and mull over the information shared in this laminitis special report. Two main articles discuss 1) the increasing prevalence of the endocrine form and its relationship to grass and forage and 2) keys to preventing laminitis. There’s no doubt that many questions could be asked of veterinary teams, dealers and retailers as a consequence of reading and … [Read more...]
Milk still does a body good
Almost every week we see something in the media about vitamin D deficiencies, sources and its value to human health. This article reviews study results and trends among U.S. adults, where osteoporosis and low bone mass concerns. Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, February 29, 2016. Fluid milk is the main vehicle that carries vitamin D. In fact, recently released results from a … [Read more...]
Under-schedule in 2016
Along with a declined meeting request, a reader sent me this article. He indicated he was acting on the advice from Elizabeth Grace Saunders and suggested some future dates. Many animal health professionals feel productivity pressure and sometimes forget the importance of prioritizing and finishing. Ms. Saunders suggests these areas to reclaim your desired experiences of … [Read more...]
Recognizing, quantifying pain in horses
Our industry continues to study the impact and dynamics of pain in all species. This article introduces a new equine pain scale and its implementation in a hospital setting. Equine veterinary teams and representatives that service them will benefit from reading and discussing the information presented. Source: Equine Veterinary Education, January 2016. Pain management is … [Read more...]
Editorial – Things that keep vets up at night
The results of dvm360’s triennial survey are out. The survey makes clear veterinarians are concerned. They feel the same changes we feel and more. Addressing their concerns with proper action remains a strong challenge. Enterprising reps will set aside the detail book and use these survey results to have solution-centered dialogues with their accounts. “B” accounts will … [Read more...]
Weather looks good
Art Douglas, PhD, professor emeritus, Creighton University, presented his annual analysis of the U.S. weather outlook for the coming growing season. It looks pretty good. He’s presented his long-term forecasts during the CattleFax Conference for 40 years. This quick read will help you be ready for the next discussion at the local gathering spot. Source: Drovers … [Read more...]