Source: News release, Animal Health Digest. Link … [Read more...]
Oral care at home, COHAT in the clinic
Opinion, Sponsored Content from Addison Biological Laboratory, Inc. Last week I asked the question, “What ever happened to COHAT?” an acronym Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment. The logic made sense and leads to reasserting the need for in-home oral health to be presented as a priority. Dental exams are a component of COHAT often required more frequently … [Read more...]
What ever happened to COHAT?
Opinion In INSIGHTS a year ago I wrote this: Establishing COHAT language could help build veterinary dentistry. Mixed practices can take the lead by applying the acronym in a multi-species environment and including COHAT assessments as a line item on invoices and vet records. Moving away from labeling oral care as dentals made sense then and still does.” Source: COHAT is … [Read more...]
2 powerful words to empower animal owners
We received overwhelming responses to Kirk Augustine’s opinion post last week. He reflected on what he heard during veterinary tech week and identified a primary impediment blocking the full use of certified veterinary technician skills < link >. He also shared a spoiler alert for the two powerful words referenced here. Source: Animal Health Digest. Link. Asking “WHAT … [Read more...]
Impediments to empowerment
OPINION National Veterinary Technician’s Week was filled with celebrations, acknowledgment and for me, discovery. Participating in two virtual roundtables encompassing virtual care and veterinary technician use, common threads became apparent as I listened: Veterinary teams are taxed and running on fumes Workflow and staffing models are in continual flux, including … [Read more...]
SID feeding of indoor cats may improve health
Obesity is the most common nutritional problem affecting cats. In research likely to surprise veterinarians and cat owners*, cats that ate one meal a day were more satisfied, which could result in less food-begging behavior. The study results also suggest cutting back feeding frequency could help reduce the risk of obesity by controlling cats' appetite and potentially making … [Read more...]
7 ways BtoB content can change everything
Guest contributor Brendan Howard educated and entertained dvm360 business section readers for years where he built a loyal following. He now freelances and agreed to share some of his business-to-business (BtoB) content expertise with animal health pros. Here’s a sample. You’ll find the rest of the article at the link. Source: 7 ways BtoB can change everything, October 8, … [Read more...]
Fall colors signal risks for horses
Fall leaves, especially red maple, can be toxic to horses, livestock and small ungulates. While we enjoy the colors and fall activities, a wind-cast limb from a maple could provide toxic leaves in the pasture. Toxins, especially those in red maple, damage the hemoglobin in horses’ red blood cells, so they can no longer carry oxygen. Affected cells may rupture, clogging the … [Read more...]
Welcome Lucca Veterinary Data Services as Supporting Sponsor
Sponsorship Announcement Please welcome Lucca Veterinary Data Services as a Supporting Sponsor of Animal Health Digest. Lucca’s founder, Clint Latham, JD, helps uncover the mystery of data security for DVM’s across the country. His efforts support independent IT professionals while simultaneously providing security and data insights to veterinary practices and … [Read more...]
Normal is now. Live in it.
COMMENTARY Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has said multiple times Covid-19 will be with us deep into 2021. While it would be great if we could fill football stadiums, participate in concerts and sit next to neighbors in our favorite church pews, it is unrealistic to safely do these things for the foreseeable future. … [Read more...]
Back to school time . . . maybe?
Commentary Historically, the end of August includes the rush to finish vacations, prep children for school, fall sports practices and moving young adults onto college campuses. Animal health pros often find themselves with extra time as Labor Day arrives and animal owners are focused on other things. This year? Who knows? One of the traditional activities to occupy this … [Read more...]
Scientists reveal pheromones are key to harmonious pet relationships
Researchers discovered using dog and cat pheromones could be key to a happy household where both are living. Relationship challenges between a new pet and an existing pet is one of the main reasons for cats and dogs get taken to shelters for rehoming. Thought to be the first research of its kind, the results suggest that using the dog-appeasing pheromones had a more … [Read more...]
Chickens, Salmonella sp. and people
Raising chickens comes with built-in health risks for them and their keepers. In the United States, the CDC reports increased popularity of backyard poultry flocks has been associated with increases in live, poultry-associated salmonella outbreaks. Arizona veterinarian Stephanie Lamb, a boarded specialist in avian medicine, discusses the ins and outs of salmonella in … [Read more...]
Telemedicine content missing new VVCA references
Commentary More content appears nearly every week on telemedicine. In animal health there is an organization, albeit relatively new, that has been organized to help define virtual care in animal health and frequently not referenced in published content. That organization is the Veterinary Virtual Care Association < link > whose mission is to elevate the standard of … [Read more...]
Integrated pest management key to fly control
It is documented flies cause losses in beef, dairy, small ruminant and swine production. They are also a nuisance at home, around backyard animals and in stables. Janna Block, North Dakota State University Extension livestock systems specialist, discusses the importance of using the right type of fly control at the right time for the right duration to control pests … [Read more...]
Void in urban livestock veterinary care due to lack of facilities, interest or experience
Research results indicate an increasing demand for veterinary services for poultry and livestock in cities and suburbs and a need for ongoing continuing education of practitioners, as well as the animal owners according to UC Davis research. This segment of agriculture has been largely overlooked by the veterinary community in North America.” - Dr. Alda Pires “The health and … [Read more...]
Email and chat etiquette for 2020 and beyond
Defining etiquette as a customary code of polite behavior, Myka Meier shares six guidelines for communicating via email and chat. It is a primer for virtual communications that is applicable now and in post-pandemic work habits. Know your audience Don’t leave colleagues hanging Minimize your multi-messaging Keep most communications concise Sign on and off with … [Read more...]
Helping cattle stand the heat
Every summer, livestock media sources of all types feature piece about heat stress in cattle. Whether cow-calf, feeder or dairy cows, heat can damage their ability to maintain their rate of gain or milk production. The combination of hot temperatures, high humidity, and lack of air movement can result in severe cases of heat stress for cattle. When temperatures remain above … [Read more...]
For hospital managers, numbers speak louder than words!
Veterinary practice managers generally track and report on a number of Key Performance Indicators. These critical figures provide valuable insights into how the practice is performing and specific factors that influence performance over time. This group of highly motivated animal health pros have received considerable support from their association in recent months. The VMHA … [Read more...]
Behavior problems are too common in dogs
Confirming what we already know, a Finnish study of 13,000 pet dogs found that nearly three-quarters of them have behavioral issues. The study focused on seven issues: noise sensitivity fearfulness compulsion fear of surfaces or heights inattention/impulsivity separation related behavior and aggression. Over a quarter of the dogs were fearful of fireworks … [Read more...]
Dang those flies!
Flies are a nasty nuisance. Whether on the farm, acreage or in the backyard, they are an insidious challenge for animal owners and people alike. It’s summer. When the temperatures go up, fly numbers rapidly increase. If not controlled, adult flies continue to lay eggs and increase the fly population. Managing larvae and adult flies should be a continuous process. Every … [Read more...]
Dogs and hot summer weather
Heat and sunshine can be deleterious to the health of our dogs. The articles collected for this post all refer to taking precautions with dogs during summer. Given the number of new pet adoptions recently, reinforcing this information with pet owners is important. Source: Can Dogs Get Sunburned? PetMD, June 1, 2020. Link. It’s actually very important to put sunscreen on … [Read more...]
Dog life after WFH. Prepare for separation anxiety (video).
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...]