Posts that AHD’s contributor, Pat Malone, writes, are consistently opened at a high rate. He writes about leadership and productive communication. We thank him for sharing his expertise and translating his experiences to animal health. Most of all we appreciate his support and friendship. Source: Animal Health Digest. Link. We’ve featured five of the most-read posts … [Read more...]
Fall foliage toxic to some animals (includes video)
Autumn is nigh. While fall foliage is popular, the science behind the leaves changing color isn’t widely known and often misrepresented. For some animals, fall leaves can be toxic as they break down. Source: Smithsonian, August 14, 2019. Link. Owen Reiser’s time lapse video depicts the pigments within the plant matter as they break down and transform from green to color. . … [Read more...]
Largest dairy locations shown in 2017 Ag Census
Serving the dairy industry is a big undertaking for animal health pros. The 2017 USDA Ag Census reported data on scores of ag statistics, including dairy cow inventory by county. For the first time, it included data on dairies with more than 5,000 cows. California and Idaho are tied with the most dairies with more than 5,000 cows. Texas has 25. Wisconsin and Minnesota rank … [Read more...]
Opinion – Helping multiple decision makers purchase
Selling to businesses often means proving to multiple decision makers that your product can make their jobs more efficient, provide a significant return on investment and outdo competitors in functionality and price. Kison Patel shares what he calls five tips for streamlining the decision-making process when multiple stakeholders are involved. They outline considerations when … [Read more...]
Invest one minute to avoid bites, scratches (includes handout)
Phil Seibert, CVT, underscores the importance of prevention and caution for veterinary professionals. His tips for handling an injured or stressed animal in a vehicle are also applicable to waiting and exam rooms: Approach the patient from posterior side. Put a slip leash on the animal. Always apply a muzzle. Use a portable stretcher or cart. Source: FIRSTLINE, … [Read more...]
Boehringer Ingelheim introduces BVDVTracker.com
Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is an ongoing challenge facing the cattle industry. The virus often goes undiagnosed and the consequences are severe. To help producers address the challenges BI launched BVDVTracker.com. The website’s mission is to support veterinarians, producers and industry professionals in the control of BVDV. Source: Drovers, July 16, 2019. Link. … [Read more...]
Context is everything!
If you are part of creating a transaction in any way, this post is for you. David Brock focuses on those with sales in their title, but each of us influences customer choices. He reminds us that each person’s hopes, fears, dreams and challenges are unique to them and the situation they face at a point in time. The magic of great sales people is their ability to connect, to … [Read more...]
Opinion – Getting work done while being human – part 4
The fourth installment of this series looks at how children play. Colin Johnson-Zapier suggests we follow the lead of preschoolers to improve our productivity. We added information on adult play and more perspectives on the ever-fleeting work-life balance topic. 5 valuable productivity lessons that preschoolers can teach you, Fast Company, June 14, 2019. Link. Follow our … [Read more...]
Yes, dogs can give you a disease
Marchelle Chastain says, “. . . in our interaction with our dogs, we tend to forget that these lovely pets can be the first cause of many diseases that we can catch.” This is a good reminder to share on social media, blogs and in e-newsletters. He lists 7 diseases dogs can give to humans: Sarcoptic mange Salmonella Ringworm Rabies Tapeworms Leptospirosis … [Read more...]
And on the 7th day, FedEx delivered
FedEx will start delivering packages seven days a week next January. It is also taking back nearly two million home deliveries currently handled by the post office. Source: Associated Press, May 30, 2019. Link. Consumers want packages over the weekend,” President and Chief Operating Officer Raj Subramaniam said in an interview. “As soon as we went to 6-day, we started … [Read more...]
Opinion – Getting work done while dealing with being human, part 3
Our VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity) world frequently makes it hard to choose between our work and personal life. Beyond balance issues are human factors that challenge our humanity. In this third installment, the articles deal with purpose and time. Putting my purpose to work for me now, SmartBrief, May 31, 2019. Link. Being armed with purpose makes us … [Read more...]
Opinion – Getting work done while dealing with being human, part 2
Last week, we started a series about getting work done. Beyond all the advice, processes and systems is a human element that is challenged by our VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity) world. Any mom or dad can find meeting parenting demands often seems in direct conflict with raising kids. On the other end of too busy is not busy enough. As you’ll see, there are … [Read more...]
Backyard chickens have caused 21-state salmonella outbreaks
Fifty-two people in 21 states have contracted salmonella from backyard poultry according to the CDC. Five patients have been hospitalized and 28 percent of those sickened by these home-based chicks and ducklings are children under age 5. Don’t kiss your chickens! < link > Source: USA Today, May 17, 2019. Link. Epidemiologic and laboratory evidence indicate that contact … [Read more...]
Opinion – Get truly curious about the customer
Customers recognize selective listening and when we aren’t asking the right questions or probing to understand what’s really happening and learning what it means to them personally or professionally, according to David Brock. They’re often looking look for our help but find us unwilling to take the time to understand their markets, their business, their strategies . . . their … [Read more...]
Opinion – FREE, one-day shipping is an oxymoron
Amazon recently announced it will spend $800M to bring free, one-day shipping to Prime members. This is an indictment of our increasing inability to plan past our noses. Distribution companies have been fighting this costly next-day fight for years, often without directly assessing the increased costs to customers who require the service. Failure to plan is simply a plan to … [Read more...]
3 top posts in April show diversity of interests by AHD users
Cranky cats, clinic access and dairy consolidation were hot topics last month. Take a look, or re-look, at the three posts that were the most read last month. Finicky feline eaters: born or made? Link. Multiple reasons prevent access to veterinary care Link. Consolidation continues as nearly 3,000 U.S. dairy farms closed in 2018. Link. INSIGHTS: We’ll look at what … [Read more...]
Equine rabies often insidious and vague in horses
We often picture unnaturally aggressive skunks, raccoons or dogs foaming at the mouth when we think of rabies. Although it isn’t widely found among horses in the United States, veterinarians diagnose about 40 cases per year. Betsy Greene relates that the potential risk of human exposure from even one infected horse is concerning. Source: The Horse, April 2019. Link. Greene … [Read more...]
Karen Parker, DVM, joins AHD as a contributor
Karen Parker, DVM, and owner of Park Marketing in Austin, Texas, joins the growing list of AHD expert contributors. We welcome her expertise in human resources management and marketing. Parker launched her firm earlier this year after serving as director of marketing and recruitment for Innovetive Petcare. While there, she led a project that helps the veterinary profession … [Read more...]
The role of gut-microbiota in animal health, well-being
The complex microbial community in the gut of animals plays a critical role in pathogen control, immune function, nutrient provision and intestinal morphology. Animals are born with no effective gut microbiota. Inoculation and colonization begins as the animal exits the birth canal. Each animal’s microbiota is unique, but 90 percent of the contributing organisms are of the … [Read more...]
Listening boosts compliance and loyalty
Encouraging clients to talk about their pet or lifestyle helps bond them to your practice and improves compliance, shares Amanda Donnelly, DVM, MBA. What she shares is an example of how open-ended questions can add situational information that is relevant to a pet’s lifestyle with an owner. Practice teams demonstrate compassion and learn more about a pet when they invite … [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...]
Feds seize 1 million pounds of pork from China
Agents with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized about 1 million pounds of pork imported from China last week at the Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal in New York . There are fears the products could contain African swine fever. CBP and USDA authorities are still investigating. No charges had been filed as of last Friday. Sources: The Hill, March 16, 2019. … [Read more...]
Upcoming events at The Bridge Club
Taking advantage of internet video tools, The Bridge Club virtual community continues to engage professionals in conversations. Co-founder Brenda Andresen references the learning experiences and professional nuggets she and founding partner Catherine Haskins capture with each live event. The Bridge Club was featured in a recent article in Vet Advantage as the team prepared for … [Read more...]
Crates can be a retreat for dogs if used properly
Crates are terrific tools to help manage dogs. Jennifer Messer talks about using them as training tools and for dog comfort. Her article will help pet owners understand how to use a crate with their pet. Consider it for social media posts, e-newsletters and as a resource for new pet owners. Source: Modern Dog, November 2018. Link. If a dog is properly introduced to a … [Read more...]
11 common-sense biosecurity tips help cattle operations
Commercial cattle producers should implement straightforward ways to improve biosecurity on their operations, according Brandi Karish, Mississippi State University Extension beef specialist. She shares 11 tips with Victoria Myers, Progressive Farmer senior editor. Source: Progressive Farmer, February 25, 2019. Link. Biosecurity does not have to mean a lockdown.” A few simple … [Read more...]
Corrections
Two posts did not link properly in the February 28 AHD Bulletin. They are: Work on yourself first, to improve your team <link>Rushing heifers to calve diminishes lifetime value <link> Source: Animal Health Digest Bulletin, February 28, 2019. Link. … [Read more...]
She’s not pregnant. That cat is fat!
Overweight cats are at risk for a host of health issues. Sassafras Lowrey shares five health risks for overweight cats worthy of sharing with cat owners: DiabetesHigh blood pressureBone/joint damageFatty liver diseaseSkin problems Cats who are overweight are known to have shorter life spans, and the associated health problems can be deadly to the cat. Not only that, … [Read more...]
Beating procrastination can be tough
Researchers no longer consider procrastination as a basic time-management problem. They now view it as a complex and highly individual phenomena; a complicated failure of self-regulation. Experts define it as the voluntary delay of some important task that we intend to do, despite knowing that we'll suffer as a result. Source: Entrepreneur, January 21, 2019. Link.The … [Read more...]
The 10 most important things to teach a puppy
Far too many people don’t have a clue about how to properly raise a puppy, says Pat Miller. She offers a refresher course on important things for puppies to learn. Behavior problems are the number-one reason pets are relinquished. Use this information to help a new puppy owner develop their role with the pup. Source: Whole Dog Journal, December 5, 2017. Link. Also see: … [Read more...]
Wild pigs, agricultural and environmental terrorists
A growing wild pig population sparks fear as threats of African swine fever (ASF) hitting U.S. soil are publicized. In Texas, the number of wild pigs could soon be nearly as large as the U.S. sow population of six million sows. Wild pigs can vector 21 some odd diseases we are aware of – communicable to all livestock animals Source: PORK, December 14, 108. Link. When … [Read more...]