Getting colostrum into piglets in the first 24 hours is critical to their health and survival. Larger litter sizes place more emphasis on ensuring adequate volumes of colostrum get to each piglet. Few studies have considered the effects of sow late gestation nutrient intake on colostrum production and composition. Other factors play into piglet success, but optimizing nutrition … [Read more...]
Archives for June 2019
In search of the perfect cow
Ryon Walker with the Noble Research Institute leads us through important traits for choosing the perfect cow. We can manage only as well as the cow and her offspring will allow us to. If we can produce a “perfect cow,” then we can more easily manage that cow. Source: Drovers, June 20, 2019. Link. Walker prioritizes preferred traits in this order: Environment fit … [Read more...]
DVM walks us through Fair Oaks Farms video (video)
Jan Shearer, DVM, breaks down a Fair Oaks Farm video shot at a milking parlor and barn. Shot by an activists, the video was intended to harm the dairy’s and agricultures images. Shearer discusses practices scene by scene. The Center For Food Integrity established an Animal Care Review Panel of top veterinarians to assess this undercover video and provide clarity of what’s … [Read more...]
Poultry flocks must increase 3-fold to meet cage-free pledges
Maro Ibarbaru shares several challenges the poultry industry must meet to accomplish the transitions to cage-free production. Beyond the economic challenges, there are concerns about animal welfare, higher mortality, disease and parasite control as well as poor feed conversion. Source: Egg Industry, June 2019. Link. For management to properly handle the potential health … [Read more...]
Feline fundus disease (photo gallery)
The ocular fundus is the back of the eye opposite the pupil and includes the portion of the white of the eye (sclera) that is in the back of the eye, the retina, the membrane between the retina and the sclera (the choroid), and the optic disk. In cats, abnormalities can affect the fundus including inherited disease, acquired disease, infectious disease, manifestations of … [Read more...]
Road trip! What about the cat?
Traveling with cats requires more planning than without, but cats can be fun travel mates. The author shares these planning tips: Find a pet-friendly hotel Make reservations by phone Inspect your hotel Make the cat feel at home Source: Modern Cat. Link. INSIGHTS: Consider this content for newsletters, blog posts and social media. Be sure to add information … [Read more...]
Tips to keep cats off counters
Most people don’t like their pet jumping on surfaces where food is prepared. The Animal Humane Society ( link ) has some tips: Make counters undesirable Keep your cat confined during mealtime Never yell at your cat Do reward your cat for appropriate behavior Don’t make perfection the enemy of progress Source: Tufts Catnip, July 2019. Link. INSIGHTS: This … [Read more...]
Answers to questions about cats scratching
Andrea Y. Tu, DVM, discusses the what, when, how and why of cat scratching. In many households, she shares, people don’t understand that scratching is natural behavior that needs to occur. She discusses carpets, scratching post orientation and texture so the cat finds an outlet and something to scratch. Source: Catster, June 13, 2019. Link. Scratching is a behavior cats … [Read more...]
Purina research shows promise for those allergic to cats
By taking advantage of natural allergen-antibody interactions, Purina researchers discovered how to safely neutralize Fel d1, a major cat allergen, in hair and dander. This was done by incorporating an egg product containing anti-Fel d1 antibodies into a cat's diet. Their research, published in Immunity, Inflammation and Disease and featured at the Purina Institute website … [Read more...]
Horses helping seniors
Human-animal bond research continues to expose the power of animals interacting with humans and vice versa. The Connected Horse program in California is stretching the approach for seniors with dementia, including Alzheimer’s. The program also recognizes the needs of caregivers and uses older horses past their prime. The combination appears effective and is the focus of … [Read more...]
Snakebite dos and donts for dogs
Non-poisonous snakes, like the garter snake, don’t have fangs. They have rows of teeth and they do not produce toxic venom, says Travis Arndt, DVM. This distinction is crucial when it comes to snake bites on dogs. . . . if you or your dog are bitten by a non-poisonous snake, you won’t see the two puncture wounds that you would see from a venomous snake. A non-poisonous bite … [Read more...]
Dogs absorb our emotions
A new study shows owners who experience long-term stress and anxiety can pass it on to their dogs. Dogs are quite good at understanding humans. They’re definitely better at understanding us than we are at understanding them.” - Lina Roth, Zoologist Source: National Geographic, June 6, 2019. Link. Roth found no evidence that anxious dogs created nervous owners. INSIGHTS: … [Read more...]
Amazon goes to the dogs
More than 7,000 dogs are registered to come to work at Amazon’s offices in Seattle. That’s 1,000 more than last year. They’re supported by Amazon policy, on-site dog parks, doggy day-cares and a multitude of pet-friendly bars and restaurants in the surrounding neighborhood. Dogs can even get flank steak or venison for lunch. Source: Los Angeles Times, June 21, 2019. Link. … [Read more...]
Demand for life-stage diets growing
Today’s pet owners are more informed than in previous years and seek research-backed foods for their pets. They want sustainable food that will support their dogs from head to tail, through all phases of their life. As a result, the market for life-stage diets for dogs is steady, according to industry insiders. Paige Brockway reviews the trends, challenges and nuances of … [Read more...]
Downward head tilt can make people seem more dominant
New research findings could have practical implications for our routine social interactions. People often display certain movements or expressions during their everyday interactions, such as a friendly smile or wave, as a way to communicate information. Research suggests that we may also want to consider how we hold our head during these interactions, as subtle head movements … [Read more...]
Banfield adds telehealth tool, VetChat
Actress, author, singer and comedian Jane Lynch (Glee, Best in Show) is helping warn people about the dangers of seeking out random advice about their pets’ health from the internet. Her work coincides with Banfield’s launch of VetChat, a 24-hour veterinary advice platform, to wellness plan participants. Source: DVM 360, June 20, 2019. Link. Banfield has presented the new … [Read more...]
Good writing makes you more employable, no matter the role
It’s never too late to learn what makes great writing, says Jaleh Bisharat. If your writing needs work, he offers reasons to improve along with seven tips on being a better writer: Good writing correlates with crisp thinking Clear, persuasive communication is the underpinning of a successful professional If you’re a good writer, there will always be work for you to … [Read more...]
The smartest in the room
Some in leadership positions believe that to be an effective leader, they must be the smartest person at their company and if they are not, it somehow sends a signal to their staff that the leader is inept. In reality, no one is an expert in everything. Source: LinkedInPulse, June 3, 2019. Link Great leaders aren't know-it-alls who constantly try to outshine everyone. They … [Read more...]
Authenticity important to women’s work success (video)
Female leaders must account for gendered perceptions when considering their leadership styles, according to a KPMG report. Because women are often characterized as being "too bossy or demanding," "not aggressive enough," "not collaborative enough," or "too direct," 58% of women said they have changed their leadership styles to avoid such perceptions, the report found. Source: … [Read more...]
Networking – the right thing to do for your practice
Veterinary medicine is subject to more competitive pressure today than ever before. While it may be a foreign concept to many in the industry, your survival depends on you becoming competitive. Networking can help you by interacting with other successful business people in your community. Here are five tips that will start you on the way to becoming an expert … [Read more...]
Climate changes expand the distribution of diseases
Some experts fear climate change is expanding the distribution of diseases that can sicken or even kill dogs, putting more of them at risk for diseases their owners have never had to deal with, according to Elizabeth Weise’s report. The biggest spread in heartworm disease in the United States certainly followed the 2005 national distribution of dogs due to Hurricane Katrina.” … [Read more...]
Keep pets safe on July 4th
Independence Day is one week from today. It’s a fun holiday, but the noisy festivities can really scare pets. Noisy fireworks can cause pets to run away, holiday food can be harmful and the heat can bring trouble. The AVMA has assembled common-sense tips to help prepare for the holiday and and to keep everyone and their pets as safe as possible. Source: AVMA. Link. Safety … [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...]
Bad moods, venting and yelling
The hurrier I go the behinder I get!” – White Rabbit, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. Our VUCA world < link > routinely challenges us. As frustration mounts, so do the tendencies to express our feelings outwardly or bottle them inside. This collection of articles speaks to managing through challenging times. 9 Mental-health experts on the strategies they use to … [Read more...]
New route for successful pain relief in piglets funded by National Pork Board
Painful processing procedures in piglets such as tail docking, castration and teeth clipping are emerging animal welfare concerns. KSU researchers proposed using transmammary delivery of NSAIDs to aid piglets during processing. The results were published in The Journal of Animal Science < link >. Source: National Hog Farmer, June 17, 2019. Link. <The> findings … [Read more...]
The flies have it!
As summer kicks off, Travis Meteer reviews four main types of flies that bother livestock. Wet spring conditions have provided favorable breeding conditions and we’re likely to see considerable fly pressure through the summer months. Cattle facilities are not the only places flies are nuisances. Meteer’s strategies for control apply to urban and suburban locales, as … [Read more...]
How to keep chickens cool in summer
Chickens are better adapted to handle cold temperatures than heat. Kathy Shea Mormino shares ways to keep your flock safe during hot weather months. Source: Hobby Farms, June 11, 2019. Link. Leave birds undisturbed to the extent possible. They’re decreasing their activity levels to stay cool, so don’t let children or pets bother them on hot days. … [Read more...]
Rescue dog book promotes children reading to animals
A new fictional book, My Name is Curly, supports both childrens’ reading and shelter animals. Research has shown that when children read to animals, it helps with their reading skills, helps children socialize. It also comforts and reduces the anxiety of shelter pets. Plus, it nurtures empathy in children. Author and attorney Andi C. Kryszak says when she adopted her first … [Read more...]
Feral parrots may pose problems later
During the research for a paper in the Journal of Ornithology < link >, Stephen Pruett-Jones, Jennifer Uehling and Jason Tallant found that of the 190 parrot species < link > that have been imported to the U.S. since the 1950s and 1960s, 56 have been spotted in the wild 43 states. Twenty-five of those species have established breeding populations. The monk … [Read more...]
Evaluating pain in cats
Natalie Stilwell, DVM, summarizes a recent Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery article < link > reviewing the latest advancements in acute pain assessment in the cat. She reviews various scales to assess feline pain which is often masked by the individual cat. Source: DVM360 Magazine, April 12, 2019. Link. Stillwell discusses pain scoring instruments including: … [Read more...]