Once stay-at-home mandates end, pet owners won't be home as much. Prepare dogs for separation anxiety before it starts. Steve Dale shares concerns about upcoming separation stress. He shares proactive tools and ideas. Source: Good Morning America, May 2, 2020.Link. Also see: Separation anxiety training, The Bark, April 2020. Link. Also see: Pet separation anxiety … [Read more...]
March 2020 – Top post review (3 of 3)
March 2020 – the month when the coronavirus feces hit the fan. Animal health pros faced the challenges and worked hard to mitigate risks while learning what changes the next day would bring. Defining essential versus non-essential was necessary to facilitate prevention of coronavirus transfer. Work-from-home mandates literally ground some businesses to a halt, forcing high … [Read more...]
April 2020 – Top post review (2 of 3)
The Animal Health Digest curation model delivers published information in the context of how animal health professionals work and interact with each other, with customers or clients and within their affiliated networks. Our industry spends millions annually supporting media. A portion of this supported content falls into the category of one and done. By physically reviewing … [Read more...]
May 2020 – Top post review (1 of 3)
The end of meteorological spring < link > has yielded to summer. Weather and the coronavirus pandemic have made it a memorable one. Animal health pros have quickly adopted digital communications, learned new methods of balancing home with work and found myriad ways to adapt to pandemic threats, tornadoes and flooding. Our Animal Health Digest weekly readership remains … [Read more...]
Feeding pets: dos, don’ts and dealing with poo
Dogs especially want to share what we’re eating. Not all human food is safe. But all food travels through at some level. Several resources what’s okay to share, what’s not and then what to do with the poo. This information may help first time pet owners make better decisions and avoid issues from deposits left unattended in the grass. The Environmental Protection Agency … [Read more...]
How to talk to clients about CBD (video)
Offering clients advice about the use of CBD as a treatment can be like walking a tightrope. Molly McAllister, DVM, offers practical examples and tips on how to navigate this tricky topic with clients. In addition to McAllister’s suggestions, the topics of second-hand smoke and various edibles beg for attention during the discussion. Source: NAVC Spark. Link. We don’t … [Read more...]
Burnout and what to do about it
Burnout is real. It is difficult to reckon with because it is hard to know where the dividing line is between normal stress and a larger problem. Kat Boogaard shares signs of burnout and ways to deal with it. Burnout tends to be when you just don’t have any good days, and it goes on for a long period of time” - Alice Domar, PhD, director of the Domar Center for Mind/Body … [Read more...]
Top posts from Patrick T Malone
Like clockwork, Patrick T Malone provides highly read content on a weekly basis. This week we are sharing his top 5 most read posts since the beginning of 2020. Thank you for contributing Pat! Source: Animal Health Digest, January through April 2020. Become an unforgettable boss, January 21, 2020. Link. A manager’s checklist, February 11, 2020. Link. … [Read more...]
Stop the imposter syndrome
Rhonda Brooks shares perspective about and solutions to offset impostor syndrome experiences. Seventy percent of people are affected at some point in their lives, notes Amy Ruple, DVM. The percentage may be higher among high-achieving veterinarians. The article includes 10 steps to help learn to think like a non-impostor from Valerie Young, EdD. Source: Bovine … [Read more...]
Reframing fears during the Covid-19 uncertainties
Brian Pennie reprises the circle tool from Steven Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People for us. Here are a few of his statements from the article. Every situation can be divided into two circles: the circle of concern, which consists of factors we have little or no influence over, and the circle of influence, which is made up of things we can control. Covey’s idea … [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...]
How to manage pinkeye
Fly season is well underway. It marks the beginning of pinkeye infections to come by mid-summer. Infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK, or pinkeye). Pinkeye costs the beef industry an estimated $150 million annually. Historically, Moraxella bovis was considered the primary IBK pathogen. More recently, mixed cultures of M. bovis, Moraxella bovoculi and Mycoplasma … [Read more...]
Pet insurance, wellness plans are win, win, win
Research findings led to AVMA changing its policy on pet insurance from neutral to advocacy. Metrics from studies support a more assertive position in practices, economic benefits for clients and of course improved health care for pets: Insured dog owners spent $216 per year more than uninsured owners (MSU findings) Insured dog owners spent 29 percent more, insured cat … [Read more...]
Part 2 – Inventory adjustments needed during disruptions
Feedback from our original post on inventory management is strong. AHD founder, Kirk Augustine offers an update to his original paper. He identifies supplier issues and resets to reorder points during a prolonged disruption period like we’re currently experiencing. Source: Animal Health Digest, April 16, 2020. < Link > At the four- to six-week point in a disruption … [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...]
Open-field calving box keeps newborns warm
Like its own miniature windbreak, this Canadian producer’s idea has merit for inclement weather conditions anywhere. It is an idea to consider sharing with cattle producers directly or by newsletters and social media posts. Source: Drover’s, March 30, 2020. Link. INSIGHTS: Calves are often born in the worst weather regardless of seasons. Something about those changes in … [Read more...]
Hard calvings mean a difficult start in life for newborns
Calves experiencing a traumatic birth have the deck stacked against them as they grow. Study results quantify the challenges and make the topic valuable to discuss with cow-calf producers in both dairy and beef operations. . . .calves with the most difficult births also were 1.3 times more likely to experience scours and 1.6 times more likely to suffer from respiratory … [Read more...]
Collar or harness — which is best?
Andrea Gronwald provides a comprehensive discussion of collars and harnesses. She shares how, when and why to use them. Pet owners will appreciate the guidance. Share this on social media and in newsletters with assurances that fashionable designs of each style are available. 😉 Source: Animal Wellness, April 2, 2020. Link. . . . collars are best used for identification … [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...]
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...]
Adjust inventory to account for supply chain disruptions
Original material from AHD The COVID-19 situation is stressing various supply chains. Adjustments to inventory management, especially for SKUS needed for caring for animals, will be critical for the foreseeable future. AHD founder, Kirk Augustine has helped develop and teach inventory management curricula for veterinary teams. He created a short inventory management paper … [Read more...]
Watch for the PANDEMIC EDITION AHD Bulletin on March 20th
Tomorrow, we will deliver a special edition of the AHD BULLETIN covering a variety of important SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 news. The posts offer information for animal health pros to use in the context of protecting yourselves, families, colleagues, communities and clients while maintaining the critical roles of prevention and treatment of animals in their purview and … [Read more...]
Stifle surgery and treatments: Guarded prognosis and more doesn’t help
Horses have been observed to have problems with the stifle joint for a long time. In recent years, these joints are getting noticed and treated more, yet remain an uncommon area from which lameness arises. The stile is a big joint and it’s an important one overall. Davey Ramey, DVM, discusses the challenges of stifle surgery, realistic outcomes and therapeutic options that … [Read more...]
NOT knowing it all
One of the skills veterinary team members possess is the ability to listen to their animal patients. They do it with their ears, their eyes, hands and even noses. These senses are critical to identifying both health and illness in critters. But when that attention is turned to an animal owner, the senses often turn off. Salespeople have similar problems and so do personnel at … [Read more...]
CDC to retail industry: dust off preparedness plans NOW
Whether it is COVID-19 or something else, proactive preparedness is important for businesses and communities. CDC recently highlighted four key preparedness areas for businesses and employers to consider during a conference call convened by the National Retail Federation: Continuity Protecting the workforce Customers Community Source: National Retail … [Read more...]
Colostrum, more than just immunoglobulins (webinar video)
Colostrum is important to all mammal newborns. It is essential for the final development and maturation of the gastrointestinal tract and immune system. Calves that receive high-quality colostrum have higher survival rates, lower age at conception, and will yield more milk through the second lactation. Michael Steele shares information on colostrum supplementation, the … [Read more...]
BCS: low cost, big impact
VFD regulations are driving more productive interactions between livestock producers and their veterinarians. Routine site visits including face-to-face meetings are important to the success of this initiative and improve VCPR. <link> Matt Hersom is an advocate for body condition scoring (BCS). It has a low cost and high value that can help any cattle producer make good … [Read more...]
Treats without Kcals
Recent posts have focused on the importance of including the Kcals from treats in nutritional assessments and counseling. An owner of four Golden Retrievers has figured out how to treat his dogs without any Kcal consequences. Source: Buzz videos. Link. Also see: Search Results for: treats, Animal Health Digest. Link. INSIGHTS: Fun videos easily capture the attention of … [Read more...]
Today’s Bulletin is shorter than normal
Today’s AHD Bulletin has fewer postings than normal, thanks to some technical glitches. You will still find items about personal and professional development, practice improvement, livestock and companion animals. A full-length Bulletin will be delivered next Thursday. Thank you for your understanding. Source: Animal Health Digest. Link. Use this link to review February 2020 … [Read more...]
366 days this year. Saturday is February 29th.
2020 starts a new decade and is also a leap year. Leap day falls on a Saturday, to boot. Here are ideas for the bonus day this coming this weekend: Take a 29-minute walk Spend 29 focused minutes and realign with your life objectives Reconnect with at least one person who you’ve been meaning to call Share time with your kids, significant other or remaining … [Read more...]