The salutations we use to start an email affects the response rate, according to a recent analysis of 300,000 emails. While omitting a salutation on follow-up replies seems to be increasingly common, you are best off including an opening, at least in your initial email. Source: Quartz, January 22, 2018. Perhaps we should move past the era of formal salutations, as … [Read more...]
Archives for February 2018
Transition cow diagnostics: 5 areas to focus
Dr. Mark Thomas returns to the basics when he works with veterinary students or on-farm staff. He focuses on five major areas that can be checked with limited equipment: Udder Uterus GI system (abomasum) Lungs Metabolic Source: Dairy Herd Management, January 3, 2018. Some might argue this oversimplifies the many organ systems and diseases that can affect a … [Read more...]
When to feed the good hay
Cows require additional nutrients during the month before calving. Crude protein needs increase as they move closer to calving, so feeding the highest quality hay just ahead of that time is best. Amy Radunz, University of Wisconsin associate professor, discussed hay quality and quantity with Sara Brown for this article. She shared two main take-homes for producers and their … [Read more...]
Always use enough gun
It is a sad reality, writes Paul Biagiotti, DVM, but every dairy producer is a big game hunter at some point in their everyday work. While euthanasia protocols prefer the use of captive bolt pistols to kill cows, bulls and calves, the cost and training needs coupled with farm turnover makes captive bolt euthanasia problematic. What remains is using a gun. Gunshot is fully … [Read more...]
Treat cat bites and bite infections properly
It’s inevitable that those working or living with cats will need to deal with cat bites and the likely infection of the bite wounds. Andee Bingham offers perspective on cats that bite and treatment options for bite wounds. Source: Catster, January 26, 2018. Cat bites are exceptionally dangerous and prone to infection because a cat’s needle-like teeth can push bacteria deep … [Read more...]
Cats’ eyes reveal moods
The model for marbles since the 1940s, cat’s vertical slit pupils are fascinating. JaneA Kelley shares perspectives about how reading a cat’s eyes can be helpful in getting along with the feline. She says: Narrow pupils signal an aroused cat Wide pupils signal an excited or scared cat Pupils of different sizes signal the need to see a DVM Veterinary teams and … [Read more...]
Chickens and owls don’t mix
While not the most likely of chicken predators, owls can sometimes pose a threat. Unlike skunks, raccoons, foxes and other four-footed mammals, owls and raptors are not easily discouraged by a vertical fence. Since destroying hawks, owls, falcons, eagles and kites is illegal, finding ways to discourage aerial predation remains an important management practice. Pam Freeman … [Read more...]
New formulation of HyperRAB approved for rabies post-exposure prophylaxis
Grifols announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a new higher potency formulation of HyperRAB (rabies immune globulin [human]) for rabies post-exposure prophylaxis. The new formulation has twice the potency (300 IU/mL) of currently available rabies immune globulin options. This allows for fewer injections, along with a significantly lower volume of the … [Read more...]
Get better at being jealous
Kristin Wong likely has classmates and friends who envy her successes as a writer, just as animal health pros may feel jealousy or envy as colleagues receive honors, awards or get jobs they aspire to. Animal health has always been competitive at the DVM level. Competition is evident in manufacturers, suppliers and distributors and is now accentuated by mergers, acquisitions and … [Read more...]
Look for third-party certifications of pet food
Nancy Kerns speaks to the growing source verification and ethical source standards that are now part of pet food decisions. Suspicious of claims, she recommends looking for certification by a legitimate third-party auditor and references the number of companies that provide verification and certification of organic, socially, environmentally, and/or humanely responsible … [Read more...]
Lepto: important but potentially misleading
Suspected cases of leptospirosis deserve a comprehensive investigation, writes John Maday. Infertility issues are typically multi-factorial and may be difficult to diagnose, but the causes usually involve non-disease issues such as bull fertility, cow nutrition, genetics, toxins or others. Some producers can mistakenly assume they have a lepto problem and focus on that while … [Read more...]
Take stock of your inventory
Inventory is frequently the second-largest expense in veterinary practices. Now that year-end counts are completed and new promotions are launched, it is a good time to review Brian Conrad’s approach to getting inventory under control. He takes a pragmatic approach to eliminating duplications, applying usage reports and establishing parameters for stocking top items. He also is … [Read more...]
New parvovirus discovered within equine tetanus antitoxin
A recent report in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Emerging Infectious Diseases journal detailed the discovery, genetic characterization and transmissibility of equine parvovirus-hepatitis (EqPV-H)—a new virus associated with equine serum hepatitis. EqPV-H was discovered when a horse in Nebraska developed clinical signs of liver failure and died approximately … [Read more...]
AAEP publishes updated infectious disease guidelines
Most of the changes in existing guidelines highlight updated sampling and control measures. The AAEP’s Infectious Disease Committee also amended suspected case guidelines for respiratory, neurologic and clostridial diarrhea to outline appropriate actions and steps for suspected cases, along with several resource documents for sampling and equine herpesvirus. Additionally, … [Read more...]
Animal Health Digest receives Bronze VETTY Award
Our AHD team is pleased to be recognized with a 2018 Bronze VETTY in the category of Digital Education Tool, B2B/Trade. The VETTYS are the first and only animal health marketing awards competition created by NAVC. The competition focuses on products and services available through veterinarians or that support the veterinary profession, including pharmaceuticals, pet foods, … [Read more...]
Not all shedding is normal (includes handout)
Animal health pros frequently get questions about excessive pet hair shedding. It is generally normal or seasonal, but there are times to be concerned. Darin Dell, DVM, shares perspectives on causes of shedding. Source: Vetted, January 16, 2018. The first step when faced with an exam for “excessive shedding” is to determine if there is obvious alopecia or true thinning of … [Read more...]
Kitten knowledge makes things easier on them and you
Two articles address the topic of dealing with kittens that are frequently found on our doorsteps. Consider the perspectives as you answer questions from those who wish to save an abandoned litter or adopt a new kitten. For would-be cat owners, this information can be new and helpful. Source: What You Should Do If You Find A Kitten. Modern Cat. I hadn’t realized that … [Read more...]
Osteoarthritis management update (includes video)
David Dycus, DVM, urges veterinary teams to consider multi-modal options for dealing with osteoarthritis. He recommends establishing a baseline through joint supplements, diet and especially, routine exercise. Each patient needs to be considered individually instead of using a standard plan. This is good material to review as a veterinary team to uncover different perspectives … [Read more...]
Logic’s Grammy performance triple calls to suicide prevention line
1-800-273-8255 is the National Suicide Prevention Line and the title of rapper Logic’s latest hit song. His powerful set of this tune during the January 28th Grammy Awards is credited with creating three times the normal call volume in the two hours following his performance. He, along with pop stars Allessia Cara and Khalid, who were featured in the performance, received … [Read more...]
It’s up to you to create a civil workplace
According to Georgetown University researcher Christine Porath, more than 40 percent of employees say they hesitate to show civility at work because they fear people will take advantage of them. The workplace, with its reliance on technology as a primary means for communication, increasingly distances us from face-to-face interactions. This, in turn, makes many of us a rusty on … [Read more...]
The high cost of low action
Few things grow as effortlessly as a problem ignored, writes Steve Keating. Realistically, the things that aren’t working out well now only tend to get worse over time, and issues that remain unaddressed grow larger, not smaller. Doing nothing is easier, faster and cheaper until the bill comes due. And it always comes due. Source: Lead Today, January 22,2018. Problems … [Read more...]
Smartphone addiction, social media and our mental health
This may not be easy to read. The typical cell phone user touches his or her phone 2,617 times every day, according to a study by research firm dscout. And that’s just the average user. The study found that extreme cell phone users in the top 10 percent touch their phones more than 5,400 times daily. Our mental health is a factor of various variables. One such variable today is … [Read more...]
Understanding the mind of the horse
Robert Miller, DVM, knows horses. He explains that when working them, you have to understand the behavioral characteristics that are in the species’ DNA that was established through natural selection. Domestication might affect the characteristics, through artificial selection, but veterinarians and horsemen should attempt to understand the innate characteristics to better read … [Read more...]
Proper dosage critical to cattle performance
Cattle producers know it, veterinarians know it and animal health pros know it. Proper dosage is important for medications and dewormers to perform efficaciously. The temptation to skimp on a dose or guess a calf’s weight is always there. Yielding to this temptation can negatively affect performance and health recovery. Writer Heather Smith Thomas offers a solid review of the … [Read more...]
Horses’ feet are miracles
Animal health pros who work with youth or new equine owners will appreciate this. Understanding the mechanics of the horse hoof helps horse enthusiasts better appreciate its complexity. The equine foot is a marvel of joints, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, blood vessels and bone encased within a horny capsule that is vital to the horse. See what Stephen O’Grady, DVM, likes to … [Read more...]
Cattle eat what humans don’t
Critics of beef production often point to pigs, poultry or fish as having better feed conversions than cattle. They frequently leave out a critical point; cattle eat things we cannot. They turn grass, corn stalks, wheat straw and byproducts such as distillers’ grains and cottonseed meal into high-quality protein for human consumption. At the recent Academy of Veterinary … [Read more...]
VFD, one year later
To explore firsthand experiences and client challenges through the first year of the VFD rules, John Maday asked a group of bovine veterinarians from around the country to summarize their experiences. Mike Appley, DVM, believes the VFD has helped generate collaboration between veterinarians and clients in developing better disease-prevention protocols including vaccinations, … [Read more...]
Pain control product for cattle released
The first U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved product for pain control in a food-producing animal was released last month by Merck Animal Health. Banamine Transdermal (flunixin transdermal solution) is approved for pain associated with foot rot and fever resulting from bovine respiratory disease and is applied as a pour-on. The product requires a prescription from a … [Read more...]
8 fun scent games dogs love
Smell is the most powerful sense dogs possess. It is fully developed at birth. Dogs have up to 300 million sensors compared to six million in humans. The part of the dog brain that analyzes smells is 40 times bigger in dogs than humans. As pet owners, we frequently forget to include scent games as part of activities with our animals. Steve Duno shares some that owners can play … [Read more...]
5 signs of canine boredom
Rather than whine around the house complaining there’s nothing to do, dogs who stay at home alone sometimes decide to amuse themselves with activities that are not funny to their owners. Teoti Anderson share five signs of dog boredom that are easily shared on websites or social media. Source: Modern Dog. Anderson shares five typical signs of dog boredom, as well as what … [Read more...]