In 2018, Wendy Hauser, DVM, and Joy Fuhrman, DVM, MBA, CPA, challenged the historic production-based compensation for DVMs. This discussion remains timely with the growing demand for veterinary care, increasing use of telemedicine and practices struggling to fill staff positions in the face of the pandemic. The antidote for production-based pay is this: a hybrid program of … [Read more...]
Search Results for: pandemic
U.S. consumer sentiment ebbs; producer prices maintain steady rise
Economists expect consumer sentiment will trend lower despite promising developments on experimental Covid-19 vaccines. Consumer sentiment is an economic indicator that measures how optimistic consumers feel about their finances and the state of the economy. In the U.S., consumer spending makes up a majority of economic output as measured by Gross Domestic Product … [Read more...]
VVCA in virtual care driver’s seat
Complimentary content The Mark Five: Policy Off Leash series continues with the third and fourth editions. In the third edition, Mark Cushing, JD, shares critical information about how the FDA views telemedicine. The discussion focuses on off-label prescriptions and traditional VCPR in the FDA regulations. The FDA rule is limited to extra-label drug prescriptions and was … [Read more...]
Carriers driving early Black Friday offers
Commentary The pandemic has changed Black Friday forever. Surcharges announced in August by the largest shippers are the penalty for not selling out early. The pandemic has caused shippers to fully reassess their supply chain strategy and their carrier mix. One way that delivery services hope to deal with the holiday crush is to push retailers to ship more packages early … [Read more...]
Emerging arboviruses manuscript collection
Collectively, the authors have assembled a manuscript collection to provide scientists up-to-date information on diverse pathogens and their respective insect vectors. It is estimated 60 to 75 percent of emerging infectious diseases in humans are of zoonotic origin. Up to one third of these emerging infectious diseases are caused by vector-borne pathogens, which cause more … [Read more...]
Podcasts. Who listens, who might pay?
Podcasts are communication options often considered in the face of pandemic restrictions. But, will a podcast reach its audience? Morning Consult surveyed adults who frequently listen to podcasts. Spotify and Apple are the favored platforms and demographics indicate white males and millennials are the largest audiences. The survey also considered the pros and cons of paid … [Read more...]
Clearing the air via filtration
Complimentary Commercial Content If we have learned nothing else in 2020, the risks from aerosolized infection agents should be near the top of the list. This article covers how Purafil, a Filtration Group company, adjusted its technology and focus to the pandemic along with a look at the importance of air filtration moving into 2021 and beyond. Source: Vet Advantage, … [Read more...]
Radical empathy part of 5: Other ways to rethink customer experience
Bridget Brennan’s Forbes article dovetails with discussions from the AVMA 2020 Economic Summit Day 1 theme, Transformation through Collaboration. Richard R. DeLuca, Jr., executive vice president of Merck, and president of Merck Animal Health, emphasized “getting comfortable with being uncomfortable” and “listening to the customers’ experiences.” Brennan said innovating your … [Read more...]
Mr. Rogers reminds us to help people on their journeys
Everything we see in the news in 2020 is scary. It’s like a never-ending horror movie where a two-headed monster — pandemic and pandemonium — roams the earth seeking whom it may devour. The result is anxiety, fear, anger and frustration. Source: Purpose Unlimited. Link. Fred Rogers’ childhood was defined by the Great Depression and World War II. His mother shared something … [Read more...]
The future of veterinary telemedicine
Complimentary Content Roger Redman, DVM, and president of American Association of Veterinary State Boards shares his perspectives on telemedicine. He believes telemedicine isn’t just a part of the veterinary future, but that it guarantees the profession has one. He discusses VCPR, the expanded use of telemedicine platforms to facilitate access and the potential for dedicated … [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...]
CDC updates information on Covid-19 airborne risks (with video)
Well duh! The CDC now says people should also avoid crowded indoor spaces and ensure indoor spaces are properly ventilated by bringing in outdoor air. This update is a result of mounting evidence from super-spreader events. The guidance for physical distancing remains in place and needs further emphasis as winter drives more personal interactions indoors. The balance of … [Read more...]
Shop wisely. Your bank account is counting on you.
Online shopping is the rule, not the exception in 2020. With the holidays ahead and a few black Friday promos already behind us, H. Colleen Sinclair offers 10 tips for how to shop smart and spot scams including: Is it too good to be true? Check the business reputation Social media presence: Do they have one? Source: The Conversation, October 6, 2020. Link. … [Read more...]
Decoding vaccine titers in companion animal practice
Sara E. Gonzalez, DVM, MS, provides a literature-based review of the limitations and benefits of this type of testing and guidance for interpreting results. In the summary comments she shares: The gold standard laboratory techniques for detecting circulating blood antibody titers against the core canine vaccine antigens and FPV are VN and HI. Core vaccine titer testing … [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...]
Poop runs downhill . . . Vet techs catch it!
Commentary The old saying, ”it ain’t over ‘til it’s over,” is appropriate for this time period. In recent conversations and reports, the stress levels on animal hospital teams is nearly a constant topic. Juggling heavier client loads, new staffing models, staff members balancing at-home schooling and work are some of the reasons. National Veterinary Technician Week is … [Read more...]
Dog training services are more important than ever
All the time we’ve spent at home with dogs isn’t as beneficial as we initially thought. Trainer Dale Buchanan is seeing an increase in adult dogs that are suddenly developing serious behavior issues related to stress and anxiety. He suggests these changes are likely coming from the stress and anxieties of their WFH owners. The dogs are most likely over-stimulated and … [Read more...]
AHD welcomes Virox Animal Health
Commercial, Sponsored Content Please welcome Virox® Technologies Inc., Animal Health, as a Supporting Sponsor of Animal Health Digest. Its team established an assertive position to ensure product inventories were available and disinfection education continued uninterrupted as the pandemic began and remains with us. Distributor animal health pros tell us Virox has been and … [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...]
Grief leadership needed during Covid-19
The coronavirus pandemic has put in perspective the need for leaders to prepare for disruption of work routines, anxiety within their communities and organizations, and even deaths of community members, friends and team members. Source: Uniformed Services University, May 2020. Link. During pandemics, leaders must attend to many responsibilities, including effective … [Read more...]
Dealing with clingy cats
Chronic clinginess can lead to full-blown separation anxiety for some sensitive cats, says Nicholas Dodman, BVMS. The constant stress not only puts your cat at risk for illness, but also makes his quality of life marginal at best. He offers several ways to address unwanted behaviors. . . . rather than pushing the cat away, stop what you’re doing and give him your full … [Read more...]
Client handout, Why vaccinate my pet?, is helpful
The key to compliance for vaccines, flea, tick and heartworm prevention, even osteoarthritis is continual education to support preventative products and processes. Vaccination is a hot topic during the 2020 pandemic period. With all the press comes increased awareness and scrutiny of vaccination in general. Efforts to support the World Rabies Day 2020 events on September … [Read more...]
Fostering chicks and ducklings is all fun and games UNTIL . .
Maureen Anderson describes the increasing attention to backyard poultry as a pandemic pastime. She then reminds us that new poultry owners need strong education about stewardship and the zoonotic potential of these feathered, would-be friends. . . . backyard chickens are becoming increasingly popular – despite some of their associated infectious disease hazards . . . - … [Read more...]
Habits of older persons that young people don’t understand
Prior to the pandemic, generational challenges in the workplace was a frequent topic. These authors describe some of the quirks of an older generation. We’re living in a societal time when four generations are working concurrently side by side. Accepting that 50 is the new 40, then those over 50 may not recognize their own quirks and those under 50 may simply shake their heads … [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...]
Mayo Clinic leader speaks out on effect of Covid-19
Human medicine and animal medicine approaches have become more amalgamated than ever before. Covid-19 restrictions have similar effects on any business that historically required customers to enter a brick and mortar location to be provided services. Gianrico Farrugia, president and CEO of the Mayo Clinic, discusses how Covid-19 spurred rapid transformation there and issues … [Read more...]
Don’t skip that vacation
Rebecca Zucker reminds us of the reasons and benefits of taking time away from our daily work. The pandemic has changed many plans, but vacation benefits remain clear whatever you do: Improved productivity Lower Stress Better overall mental health Spurs greater creativity Source: Harvard Business Review, August 11, 2020. Link. Plans may look different than … [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...]
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...]
What is your cleaning, sanitizing and disinfection IQ?
The pandemic has forever opened people’s eyes to the impact infective pathogens have on our lives. This author reviews the challenges we all have managing a less infection prone environment. As animal health pros, we are primary sources of information and education for our clients and those in our networks. The information here is rudimentary and worth sharing internally and … [Read more...]