Animal health pros often examine local population economics. Pavithra Mohan reviews the history of the middle class and how the definition of it and expectations of those in it have changed and will continue to do so.. In 2019, the prevailing feeling among the self-anointed middle class may be a lack of financial security and job stability, but also a narrowing path to upward … [Read more...]
Search Results for: tick
Goats are cute, but they aren’t easy pets
Brian Barth wonders if 2019 will be the year that goats join dogs, cats and parrots in the pantheon of animals that have gone from wild to domesticated. Barbara Jamison, owner of Puget Sound Goat Rescue, shares goat husbandry requirements about this farm animal trying to become a pet. They include: Most importantly, you must adopt at least two. Herd animals are profoundly … [Read more...]
Expand your social reach with Facebook stories
It seems like Facebook changes every day. At least it gives us the courtesy of telling us the direction in which it’s moving. Its recent focus has been expanding Facebook Stories. How can you make best use of Stories to grow your business? Facebook offers these suggestions: Create ads that leverage speed to keep readers' attention. Stories with sound lead to better … [Read more...]
Fighting decision fatigue at home and work
Beckie Mossor, RVT, shares information about our growing understanding of decision fatigue. It is the worst when we have too many decision to make in a short amount of time, she writes. Decision fatigue affects individuals differently, and factors like sleep, nutrition and stress also help determine our mental stamina. She shares simple steps we can take to decrease the … [Read more...]
Keep those mosquitos away
Mosquitoes are a worldwide problem and the solutions are the same no matter where you live. The best way to avoid mosquito borne diseases, such as heartworm, is to keep the mosquitos away. Protecting animals from vector mosquitoes remains an animal health priority. Here are two references to consider as you deal with the pesky bugs. Source: How to keep mosquitoes away, … [Read more...]
Manage your email inbox
Your computer or phone buzzes with another burst of emails. “You’ve got mail,” is no longer a welcome notification. Mary Squillace offers 10 ways to manage your email inbox, according to those who get 100 or more emails per day: Only keep emails requiring immediate action in your inbox Create a “waiting folder” for action-pending emails Make subfolders or labels your … [Read more...]
E-book addresses burnout, depression and compassion fatigue
Karen Parker, DVM, former director of marketing and recruitment for Innovetive Petcare, developed a resource during her tenure to help identify and deal with burnout and compassion fatigue. Parker says the free ebook includes self-assessments for burnout, compassion fatigue and depression. It also contains practical resources with which to combat them. Source: Innovetive … [Read more...]
8 tips for year-round dog paw health
Mother Nature designed dog paws to take a licking and keep on ticking, but they can still get cuts, scrapes, burns and frostbite, writes Marty Becker, DVM. He shares tips for optimal dog paw health year-round. Do a weekly dog paw check Watch out for burrs Do regular dog paw trims Keep dog paws dry Treat painful dog paw cracks Ban the burn Salt on dog paws also … [Read more...]
Methane potent but not long-lived (audio interview)
Methane produced by livestock is the most potent of the gases in question, BUT it simply does not stick around all that long of time compared to gases created by the use of fossil fuels. . . . the three greenhouse gases are not created equal. CO2 and nitrous oxide, have a lifetime of 1000 years. Methane however has a lifespan of only 10 years Source: Radio Oklahoma … [Read more...]
Vaccinating mice may slow Lyme disease
Former veterinarian turned immunologist Mario Gomes-Solecki focused beyond animals susceptible to Lyme. She studied the large population of Borrelia burgdorferi infected white-footed mice and on reducing the number of ticks that become carrier after biting a mouse. Roughly half of ticks carrying Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, pick it up by … [Read more...]
Talking money, a team opportunity
Brendan Howard put some good thought to using Naomi Strollo’s assertions on talking money with clients. By making the topic a team challenge, there’s an excellent chance team members will be more likely to be more effective at presenting options to animal owners. Source: FIRSTLINE, January 30, 2019. Link. . . . reflect, discuss and get greater clarity and open … [Read more...]
Revenue growth may be wishful thinking – re-post
Editor’s note: Oops! We had the wrong byline on Patrick Malone’s post last week, so we’re re-running it here. Please accept our apologies. According to a recent healthcare survey conducted by TD Bank, 87 percent of veterinarians surveyed expected to grow revenue in the next two years. Given the continuing onslaught on pharmacy revenue from 800 Pet Meds, Chewy and others, I … [Read more...]
Revenue growth may be wishful thinking
According to a recent healthcare survey conducted by TD Bank, 87 percent of veterinarians surveyed expect to grow revenue in the next two years. Given the continuing onslaught on pharmacy revenue from 800 Pet Meds, Chewy and others, I sense this is more wishful thinking rather than a realistic expectation. When you’re ready to acknowledge the threat and act, read on. Source: … [Read more...]
Start yesterday to promote dental month
There’s no question that dental services extend life quality for pets and increase revenue potential for animal health businesses. With the inclusion of home care in the WASAVA Global Dental Guidelines, the dental message has more potential for 2019 National Pet Dental Health Month communications in February. Social media is especially helpful in educating clients because it … [Read more...]
You need a plan, not just a resolution (includes video)
Julie Compton addresses the dynamics of resolutions and shares tips from author John Norcross: Plan ahead (but be realistic)Trigger rewards in your brainEliminate triggersRearrange your environmentGet social support Mess-ups are normal. They should strengthen, rather than hinder, your resolve. Source: Better, December 29, 2018. Link. Your brain forms habits around … [Read more...]
Upgrading client reminders
Reminders remain a significant component for ensuring veterinary clients return to the practice. Brenda Tassava, CVPM, CVJ, VLCE, discusses mixing the old with the new methods and provides a refreshed reminder strategy complete with tactical elements and timelines. She also discusses the value of forward bookings in the context of reminders. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, … [Read more...]
The latest from VetFolio
New course options are available for purchase or registration: The Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy. Link. Dr. Kathleen Cooney guides a ten-module course, participants explore topics including pre–euthanasia and anesthesia protocols, euthanasia techniques, pharmacology and physiology, caregiver considerations, challenging situations, team support, and more. … [Read more...]
Vetfolio announces new education programs
New programs offer free education. Minimizing Preoperative Vomiting and Maximizing Post-operative Care, sponsored by Zoetis <link> This two-part podcast series discusses strategies for preoperative management in dogs with an in-depth discussion on the role of a veterinary nurse in this clinical scenario. Dealing with Ixodes scapularis and Lyme disease … [Read more...]
More reasons for an annual exam
Melissa Beall, DVM, PhD, explains why regular, comprehensive screening is critical and what veterinarians can do to help keep dogs healthy. All dogs need to be screened annually for exposure to infected ticks Source: Veterinary Practice News, June 20, 2018. Link. A new study . . . showed two key findings: 1) dogs with Ehrlichia antibodies in E. canis-endemic areas have a … [Read more...]
Sponsored content: Recently seen in AAHA NEWStat
We’re sharing sponsored content from NEWStat, one of several publications available from AAHA Press, the publishing arm of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). New study shows link the evolution of feline hypertension, Boehringer Ingelheim, September 1, 2018. Link. New study shows link between ticks and kidney disease, September 1, 2018. Link. Guide to … [Read more...]
Some vegetables are good for dogs
Vegetables can be a great addition to your dog’s diet if you stick to those that are safe and hand out an appropriate amount writes Wendy Newell. As omnivores, dogs can digest plants as well as meat. Source: Whole Dog Journal, August 13, 2018. Link. Newell discusses which vegetables are good and not good for dogs: Good: Leafy greens Root vegetables Stalks … [Read more...]
Grit: the power of passion and perseverance (includes video)
We know very little about developing grit, says Angela Lee Duckworth. “What if your ability to do well in school and life depends on much more than your ability to learn easily and quickly?” she asked. “IQ was not the only difference between my best and worst students.” In all those different contexts, one characteristic emerged as significant predictor of success: It was … [Read more...]
Implementing the multimodal approach to heartworm prevention
The Heartworm Update, <link> sponsored by Ceva Animal Health, provides multiple practice scenarios and suggested roles and responsibilities for veterinarians, practice managers, technicians and front desk staff to ensure things go as smoothly as possible with implementation efforts, client education and client compliance. Source: AAHA Red, August 1, 2018. Link. The … [Read more...]
Protect your business
“Disruptive times call for transformational leaders with a knack for addressing complex problems. To navigate effectively, we must learn to let go—and become more complex ourselves.” This lead paragraph in an article in the March 2018 edition of the McKinsey Quarterly caught my attention. The further I read, the more I realized there is an acute need in the companion animal … [Read more...]
Stable management topics
The Equine Network Newsletter topic for August 2018 is stable management. Content is provided from four different publications. Source: The Equine Network, August 1, 2018. The risks of poor arena air quality, EQUUS. Link. Fencing for the dressage facility, Dressage Today. Link. What to know during tick season, Practical Horseman. Link. Piles of grass clippings … [Read more...]
Interest grows for The Bridge Club (includes video)
The Bridge Club live and virtual venue platform now has over 800 paid subscribers. Kristen Peck, Zoetis was featured during the first live ICON event during the AVMA 2018 convention. <link to video>.A two-part discussion is scheduled with Kimberly Pope-Robinson beginning on July 31st to discuss the importance of being connected and present in this ever changing … [Read more...]
B-Lyme-y! (infographic)
The DVM 360 staff put together an informative infographic that highlights findings from a new study conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Merck Animal Health. Data shows pets aren’t getting complete protection against fleas, ticks and Lyme disease. Source: DVM 360, June 22, 2018. Link. The good news: Pet parents of all ages want to protect their pets from parasites, with … [Read more...]
The blunt truth about sharps safety
People are still getting stuck with sharps in spite years of safety standards. Part of that is due to shortcomings in safety technology. But, human factors remain part of the issue. Amber Hogan Mitchell, DrPH, MPH, CPH, president and executive director of the International Safety Center, visited with Repertoire about the issues for medical professionals. Things are getting … [Read more...]
Update, anaplasmosis in dogs
Prompted by the Dogster article linked below, we reviewed recent information about anaplasmosis in dogs, in addition to ruminants, horses, people and wildlife species. White-tailed deer and small rodents are considered the primary reservoir hosts. Canine anaplasmosis is caused by one of two gram-negative, obligate, intracellular bacterial agents, Anaplasma phagocytophilum or … [Read more...]
Giving feedback is difficult
Why is it so hard to tell our employees (or our spouses and friends, for that matter) that they’re doing something that’s not working and need to change? Most often, we’re worried about the other person’s reaction. What if she gets angry? What if he cries? What if she tells me I’m an idiot? What if he gets super defensive and starts blaming me? Another thing that makes it … [Read more...]