Steve Dale, CABC, provides a well-positioned discussion of feline vaccination needs, challenges and the impact of not vaccinating. Most cat owners need this reinforcement to keep their cats vaccinated. Share it on websites, in newsletters and in social media posts. Source: Catster, March 28, 2018. After reviewing literature regarding feline vaccines, Dr. Margie Scherk comes … [Read more...]
Archives for April 2018
Street nails: an equine emergency
Nails or other objects that have punctured the bottom of a horse’s hoof, sometimes called street nails, require careful veterinary inspection. Veterinarians should only remove a nail after he or she has thoroughly evaluated the its location in the hoof and collected radiographs, if necessary. It is important to determine if there is any involvement with deeper structures of the … [Read more...]
Research suggests equine influenza virus is zoonotic
Duke University researchers recently sought to answer a longstanding question about the equine influenza virus (EIV). Can it infect people? Their answer is “yes.” Their ongoing work may lead us to better understand human-to-horse infections, as well as horse-to-human transfers. Source: Equus, March 22, 2018. As for what individual horse owners can do to protect themselves … [Read more...]
Backyard chickens may pose health risks to humans
Zoonotic diseases that backyard poultry may spread to humans include salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis and avian influenza viruses. Widespread outbreaks of human Salmonella spp. infections linked to contact with backyard chickens have been documented in the United States since the 1990s. Source: Clinician’s Brief, March 2018. Veterinarians should advise owners of backyard … [Read more...]
Control flies, prevent disease
Fly control warrants concern from every animal health professional. John Maday discusses the cattle perspective, including VFD restrictions to historical practices. Producers can benefit by working with their veterinarians to focus more on parasite control and less on medicated feeds for preventing diseases associated with flies. Source: Drovers, April 4, 2018. Effective … [Read more...]
Latest Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
The April 15, 2018 issue of JAVMA has three papers that caught our eyes. We’ve linked to the abstracts below: Rabies surveillance in the United States during 2016 Outcomes of and risk factors for presumed canine H3N2 influenza virus infection in a metropolitan outbreak Case-control study to determine herd-level risk factors for bovine respiratory disease in nursing … [Read more...]
Zombie raccoons; 200 new viruses in reptiles, amphibians, fish
These two articles expose the reality of living with wildlife. Distemper is likely the cause of strange-acting raccoons in Ohio. Meanwhile, researchers indicate viruses that infect amphibians, reptiles and fishes are studied little compared to the ones that affect mammals and birds. Source: The Washington Post, April 5, 2018 (paywall). Residents in Youngstown, Ohio, … [Read more...]
Surprising side effects from using technology
The repetitive motions from texting and typing, plus poor posture can lead to aches and pains. This article reviews the side effects and offers some fixes: Hand pain Hand numbness and tingling Neck and back pain Hand and wrist fixes Back and neck fixes Source: Harvard Health Letter, April 2018. … [Read more...]
Is technology driving pets insane?
Brian Cooley suggests that advances in technology could be causing undue stimulation and stress for pets. Their senses are tuned differently than our own. They may detect a cacophony of noise and strobe effects that we don't, particularly as we fill homes with technology. Source: CNet, April 4, 2018. Unless you're planning to move off the grid, you aren't going to banish … [Read more...]
AAHA accredits 69 hospitals since last October (includes video)
Congratulations to the newly accredited veterinary hospitals and their teams. Animal health pros in any position can celebrate this level of commitment by these veterinary professionals. No other medical discipline offers an accreditation program. See what accredited team members say about the process. Source: AAHA Red. Congratulations and welcome to the growing group of … [Read more...]
Be fit to lead
While good health may, or may not a good leader make – or break – it does contribute to good brain function, sustained energy output and being physically resilient. These are important attributes for leaders, but the behaviors that contribute to these qualities are often sorely neglected. Source: Center for Creative Leaders, July 10, 2017. Given all this, we often encourage … [Read more...]
Beef vets release statement on raised without antibiotics programs
The American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) released its position statement on programs that tout that animals were raised without antibiotics. In short, the AABP encourages producers and practitioners using these programs to always put the health and welfare of cattle FIRST. Source: Beef, March 28, 2018. The pressure on beef producers and their veterinarians to … [Read more...]
Presenting euthanasia as a reasonable option may benefit DVMs, owners and pets
Euthanasia and end-of-life considerations are predictable stressors for veterinary professionals, says Katherine Goldberg, DVM. What follows is a rational and strategic discussion of euthanasia from both the DVMs’ perspectives and the pet owners. She thoughtfully suggests we rethink euthanasia from something we must or should consider to something we might or could … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club, membership has privileges
Bridge Club All Access memberships come with these benefits: Attend all virtual events, no individual event cost Attend all Bridge Club Live networking events at no additional cost Receive invitations to member-only virtual and live gatherings Receive password-protected links to all recorded Bridge Club conversations The primary objective for The Bridge Club is … [Read more...]
4 signs you care too much about what co-workers think
Wanting to please others is normal. This doesn't mean it's healthy. In many cases, it's holding you back from success at work. This tendency to zero in obsessively on the opinions of others, often at the expense of your own preferences, is sometimes referred to as "approval addiction." Source: US News and World Report, April 2, 2018. The “pleasing” attribute, while … [Read more...]
Your “but” may not give the right impression
The word “but,” a simple conjunction seems nearly impossible to avoid, is potentially damaging to your brand and reputation, even if only subtly. Typically, “but” follows a more positive statement and signals a note of disagreement, opposition, or confused thinking that’s just around the corner. Source: Fast Company, March 28, 2018. Here are a few common situations where … [Read more...]
Why we stink at fact-checking
Research from cognitive psychology shows that people are naturally poor fact checkers and it is very difficult for us to compare things we read or hear to what we already know about a topic. Psychologists believe that there are at least two forces at work. First, people have a general bias to believe that things are true. Second, people tend to accept information as … [Read more...]
Why we fall for false expertise and how to stop
One of the more important assets a group can have is the expertise of its members. But, research indicates that even when everyone within a group recognizes who the subject matter expert is, they defer to that member just 62 percent of the time. When they don’t, they listen to the most extroverted person. People are not naturally skilled at figuring out who they should be … [Read more...]
Urban poultry needs more regulation to protect human and animal health (includes video)
Backyard chickens are increasingly popular throughout the U.S. Nearly one percent of all U.S. households surveyed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported owning backyard fowl in 2013, and four percent more planned to start in the next five years. This is more than 13 million Americans flocking to the backyard poultry scene. Researchers from University of California - … [Read more...]
Sentinel chickens keep us safe from disease
Chickens do more than lay eggs and develop protein. Throughout California, 139 sentinel chicken flocks work hard to help ecologists and disease prevention specialists predict when human cases of West Nile Virus and St. Louis Encephalitis may occur. They’re sitting in coops throughout neighborhoods waiting to get bitten by mosquitoes. But, they don’t get sick from the diseases. … [Read more...]
Prevent lameness in dairy cows
Recent research findings published in the Journal of Dairy Science suggest that lameness prevention merits a strong focus on dairy farms. Michael Cox reviews the prevention issues and opportunities. Source: American Dairymen, April 2018, page 14. Like many animal health issues, lameness is a multi-factorial problem. Dairymen need to review their facilities and people … [Read more...]
Owning a horse is hard, but worth it.
Gerrie Barnes reminds would-be horse owners to decide how much time they have available for an equine friend. She shares options to meet the needs of a horse enthusiast and to ensure a horse’s needs are met. horse: Full-time/on-site ownership Boarding ownership Leasing Take lessons Source: AQHA, April 2, 2018. Owning a horse isn’t as easy as it looks, but it … [Read more...]
Back to basics with equine ulcers
Up to 90 percent of performance horses and up to 50 percent of foals develop ulcers. Even with successful treatment, odds are that the ulcers will reoccur, sometimes repeatedly, according to Frank M. Andrews, DVM, professor and director of the Equine Health Studies program at Louisiana State University. He reminds readers that horses produce gastric acid throughout the day … [Read more...]
Polydactyl cats and their many toes
Domestic cats normally have 18 toes; five on each front paw and four on each hind paw. However, polydactyl cats can have one or two extra toes, usually on their front feet. Sandy Robins reviews this fairly common trait. Source: Catster, March 27, 2018. Because of the variability in the expression of polydactyly in cats, some extra toes have a tendency for ‘ingrown’ claws,” … [Read more...]
Feline serenading indicates heat (includes videos)
If you grew up before air conditioning you’ve probably been awakened by the tell-tale sounds of a tom cat and his girlfriend singing to each other. Angie Bailey shares videos and discusses spay and neutering as the only way to stop all the caterwauling, yowling, lugubrious meows and thunderous purrs. Source: Catster, March 28, 2018. The only way to truly prevent female cats … [Read more...]
Cats may experience placebo effects
Cat, or other pets, may experience placebo effects, according to a study at North Carolina State University evaluating a novel approach for cats with degenerative joint disease. Though conducted in 2014, interesting results were aired this week. Source: KPCC, April 4, 2018. Results? In Part One, all owners said their pets were better – so there was a definite placebo … [Read more...]
Hoppy days; tips for a rabbit’s best life
A surprising number of pet house rabbits live with fear every day because their families, though they may love their rabbits, just don’t understand their needs, writes Steve Dale. He reviews eight rabbit facts from persons at the House Rabbit Society, the Rabbit Center and the National House Rabbit Society. This list can be used for new rabbit owners in print form and is ready … [Read more...]
Wild animals are not pets (includes video)
Richard Gerhold, DVM, says treating backyard opossums, raccoons and other undomesticated animals like companions is a mistake. He points out that getting close to wild animals can cause them unusual stress that may prompt them to act aggressively. This may lead to injury and even the spread of disease to people and pets. Source: Veterinary Medicine, March 21, 2018. My big … [Read more...]
Weird things dogs do and why
Dog owners often ask some bizarre questions about their dogs’ behaviors. Tail chasing, butt dragging and leg humping are just some of the common behaviors that perplex owners. The good news is most of these behaviors that seem unusual or even gross to us are quite benign, says Ernie Ward, DVM. Source: Dog-Eared, March 15, 2018. Dr. Ward offers some perspectives to decode … [Read more...]
Organic rat control, K-9s on duty (includes video)
Some dog owners seek to return breeds to their roots. Rat terriers are no exception. Historians say that Rat Terriers came about by crossing the Smooth Fox Terrier and the black and tan Manchester Terrier in the early 1800s. They were bred to create an efficient ratter for farms, as well as a competent hunting companion for the farmer. Fast forward to California where Jordan … [Read more...]