It is thought that parasites make up more than 80 percent of the life forms on the planet. More organisms are identified every day. Animal health professionals will appreciate the information in these two articles as review or clarification. Source: Firstline, June 8, 2016. Parasites have not previously been included on the food chain, but in reality every ecosystem is … [Read more...]
Archives for June 2016
Get up again
In case you haven’t noticed, life in the real world is a series of ups and downs. Life in a veterinary practice is a microcosm of the world around us. It too, has a series of good days and others we would just as soon forget. Most of us handle the good days with grace and thankfulness. The real test is how we react on the really bad days. Source: Laurie Joyce, LinkedIn, June … [Read more...]
Triclosan flows through streams, crops
Triclosan is a common antibacterial agent in antibacterial soaps, detergents, carpets, paints, toys and toothpaste. It is effective against bad and good bacteria. Monica Mendez, associate professor, Department of Biology and Chemistry at Texas A&M International University is interested in triclosan-contaminated streams and rivers. These streams often serve as the water … [Read more...]
The Nature Conservancy and The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) to partner on clean water
The Nature Conservancy and The Fertilizer Institute announced a new partnership in support of farm practices that result in clean water. The two groups signed a memo of understanding to help ensure agriculture has access to tool to use fertilizer with the maximum environmental and economic efficiency. Source: AgriMarketing, June 16, 2016. The agreement lays out a framework … [Read more...]
10 things never to say in an email
Email is a great tool, but live conversations or meetings in person are better ways to communicate lengthy points of view or work through emotionally charged discussions. The 10 tips here will come in handy, especially when biting one’s tongue is in order. Source: Forbes, June 12, 2016. There is always a better way to communicate your strong feelings than to dash off an … [Read more...]
Effects of shade and feeding zilpaterol hydrochloride to finishing steers
Zilpaterol hydrochloride, or Zilmax®, is a beta-agonist approved to be fed to finishing cattle the last 21 days of the feeding period. Researchers wanted to determine if feeding Zilmax to finishing cattle affected response to heat stress, mobility and body temperature, performance, or carcass characteristics when fed in the open or in shaded pens. Source: Drovers … [Read more...]
Understanding risk from zoonotic disease
The majority of infectious diseases emerging as human epidemics originated in mammals. Yet, we still know little about the global patterns of mammal-to-human pathogen transmission. Researchers at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies and the University of Georgia have assembled world maps of what’s on record about mammal-to-human diseases. The work is helping to determine if … [Read more...]
Jockey cams film race experiences
Take a virtual ride as if you were a racehorse jockey. See what a jockey sees and the decisions required as the race progresses. Source: Horse Network, June 17, 2016. There is so much you simply cannot see and hear unless you are actually in the saddle yourself. Equine Productions strapped cameras on the helmets of a few jockeys at Belmont Park last week and the result is … [Read more...]
One woman. One horse. One goal.
Raise awareness of domestic violence in 48 states. Meredith Cherry embarks on the Centauride this fall to visit domestic violence centers, women’s shelters, schools and community centers. The objective is to raise awareness about the realities of domestic violence and provide hope to women dealing with its effects. She will begin her ride will depart in Grass Valley, … [Read more...]
Nationwide tail docking ban coming soon
Gerard Kramer, DVM, University of Minnesota, discusses alternatives to tail docking. The National FARM (Farmers Assuring Responsible Management) Program is set to ban tail docking nationwide January 1, 2017. Source: Dairy Herd Management, July 2016. Page 27. Dr. Kramer discusses the advantages and disadvantages of three alternatives to managing tail switches: … [Read more...]
AQHA’s Huffhines shares strategic plan highlights
Craig Huffhines, executive vice president of the American Quarter Horse Association, shares the key areas of the 2016 strategic operating plan for the association. The leadership team came up with five points to make AQHA the service and membership organization that will best advance the equine industry and ensure superior service for members and owners. Source: America’s … [Read more...]
10 most poisonous plants for horses
Hundreds of poisonous plants grow in North America, and many are common. "I defy anyone to tell me they have a pasture with zero poisonous plants," says Jeffery Hall, DVM, PhD, a toxicologist at Utah State University. Source: Equus, June 2014. According to Anthony Knight, BVSc, MRCVS, plant toxicologist from Colorado State University, these 10 plants are those most … [Read more...]
A big ego could make you less successful
Having an inflated ego can harm your career by reducing your connection to others and stunting your ability to maintain relationships, writes Ryan Holiday. "Confidence is based on what is real — it is earned," Holiday writes. "Ego is based on delusion and wishful thinking — it is artifice." Source: 99U, June 2016. The idea that only the swaggering, all-knowing, and … [Read more...]
Welcome CEVA Animal Health
Animal Health Digest welcomes Ceva Animal Health, LLC, as an official sponsor. Founded in 1999, it is the eighth largest animal health group worldwide. Its expertise centers on pharmacology and biology, supported by teams who meet specific demands of the livestock, poultry, swine, equine and pet sectors. Source: Animal Health Digest, June 15, 2016. With its sponsorship, … [Read more...]
Ranch sorting grows in popularity as a horse show event
Ranch sorting takes skill and cow savvy. It also relies heavily on a competitor’s horsemanship skills. Source: America’s Horse Daily, June 15, 2016. Two riders, two horses, two pens, 11 head of cattle – and only 60 seconds to work. INSIGHTS: Representatives who are not horse people can use this article to get more familiar with customers who are into equine athletic events … [Read more...]
Dental charting benefits patients, clients and practices
Pets often need dental care, but may not indicate they are in dental distress until their teeth are in critical condition. By providing dental examinations and practicing a comprehensive method of dental charting, veterinarians can help the animals, solidify client relationships and potentially add to their bottom lines. Source: AAHA Trends, June 2016. There is a reluctance … [Read more...]
Tales from the hood
An increasing number of clients are choosing to treat their pets that have been diagnosed with cancer. The safety of the health care team must be made a priority because of the potential health risks associated with the preparation and administration of antineoplastic drugs being used in veterinary medicine. Source: AAHA Trends, June 2016. Chemotherapy safety is everyone’s … [Read more...]
Effective hot spot treatment
Paul Bloom, DVM, compares pyotraumatic dermatitis and pyotraumatic folliculitis/furunculosis. The article includes good images, as well. Source: Animal Health Solutions, June 2016. Page 22. Skin scrapings should be performed to rule out demodicosis with a secondary bacterial folliculitis and furunculosis as the cause of the lesion. Treatment involves completely removing the … [Read more...]
The right way to cut people off in meetings
Learn how to use the word “jellyfish” to keep meeting discussions from drifting. Our team likes this concept knowing how easy it is to stray off topic in meetings, sales calls and general conversation. Source: Harvard Business Review, April 8, 2016. The conversation begins, but after 10 minutes of good discussion on the first agenda item, someone goes off on a tangent that, … [Read more...]
Journal of Dairy Science
For your convenience we have linked to the table of contents from the latest issue of the Journal of Dairy Science. Source: Journal of Dairy Science, July 2016, Volume 99, Issue 7, p4999-5965. … [Read more...]
Unusual white-headed thoroughbred foal born
This story about a newborn Thoroughbred foal will intrigue even those only slightly interested in horses. Source: Blood-Horse, June 6, 2016. In 35 years in the industry I’ve never seen a Thoroughbred like this,” said Eric Guillot, who trains for Southern Equine. “The mare hasn’t thrown anything unusual before, but Bodemeister throws a lot of white. I’ve got a few by him … [Read more...]
Study indicates leptospirosis can have seasonal and spatial distribution
Kathryn Primm, DVM, reviews a study on leptospirosis distribution originally published in the AVMA Journal. While it only examined records of dogs in Oregon, findings suggest the risk factors can exist in other geographies. Source: Veterinary Medicine, June 13, 2016. This study indicates spatial clustering, so if you identify a case of leptospirosis you may need to be on … [Read more...]
Most common form of cancer in horses may have a genetic link
A new study from Cornell University suggests some horses are more susceptible than others to sarcoid skin tumors. Researchers found regions on two chromosomes that differed in horses with the tumors compared to those without, indicating to the researchers that, at least in part, a horse's genes can determine how susceptible it is to the tumors. Source: Seeker, June 13, 2016. … [Read more...]
States promote dog-friendly tourist attractions
Dog-friendly tourism is a natural outgrowth of the human-animal bond. Cross-country travel to new environments includes risks from disease vectors that may not be present at home, plus the likelihood of nose-to-nose contact with unknown animals. Hence, traveling animals may need different vaccinations or preventative products than their stay-at-home counterparts. Veterinary … [Read more...]
Meet Wayne Pacelle
To some in the animal welfare community, Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States, is equivalent to Prince Charming. To some in livestock production, he’s Satan incarnate. Dan Murphy shares Pacelle’s own words in this five-part series. Source: Drovers CattleNetwork, June 10, 2016. When I started in 2004, I told the [HSUS] board that the … [Read more...]
Drive safely at dusk and dawn
Animal health as an industry is on the road to and from offices, making calls and deliveries. Review smart ways to stay safe when driving at dusk or dawn. Source: Bottom Line Personal, June 15, 2016, page 7. See and Be Seen Turn your headlights on before it gets dark. Polish your headlights. Clean your windshield inside and out. Get polarized lenses if you … [Read more...]
Make moving easier on dogs
Moves can be upsetting to dogs, as well as their owners. Teoti Anderson shares ways to reduce the stress of packing and moving. Consider this content for websites, newsletters and blog posts, plus in-person visits with pet owners preparing to move. Source: Modern Dog, Summer 2106, page 114. (link unavailable) Five ways to help dogs survive a change of address: Keep to … [Read more...]
Dogs and pot – more on marijuana
How marijuana affects pets is generating increased interest and educational efforts. Suzanne Smither, Tina Wismer, DVM, DABVT, DABT, ASPCA and Heather Prendergast, RVT, CVPM, provide a comprehensive look at side effects of cannabis and its use as a medical treatment. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, June 2016. As marijuana use expands among humans, marijuana toxicity is … [Read more...]
Recovering from rejection
Rejection is a universal and universally disliked experience. It’s also one that each of us experiences differently. Sometimes, getting rejected hurts more than we expect, especially if our immediate response is to become self-critical. Source: Harvard Business Review, April 6, 2016. I think a lot of us have a gut instinct to question ourselves in the face of rejection,” … [Read more...]
Help owners save dogs from heatstroke
Learn what owners and team members can do to save dogs suffering from heatstroke. Studies show that dogs cooled by their owners before arriving at the hospital have a lower mortality rate than those whose owners do not attempt to cool them. Source: Clinician’s Brief, June 2016. The key take-home points: The mainstays of therapy for heatstroke patients include rapid … [Read more...]