Mosquitos don’t ask permission before entering homes, offices or other facilities. Sustained transmission in northern states expands the distribution and expansion of Dirofilaria immitis, the filarial nematode that is transmitted via infected mosquitoes, writes Richard Gerhold, DVM, MS, PhD. He discusses prevention differences in dogs and cats. Diagnosing and treating … [Read more...]
Archives for June 2019
HeHelp owners, employees pick the best treats
There is a lot of pet junk food on the market. Regardless of how much pet owners research main diets, treats can have a detrimental effect on pets. Tavor White shares five things to look for when choosing pet treats: Made with pristine, all-natural ingredients Monitored for quality and safety Sustainably and ethically sourced Created with a conscience … [Read more...]
Dirty dogs need people to solve their problems
Canine house soiling has many potential causes, including medical conditions and behavior problems. Accurate assessment is critical, as the prognosis for control or resolution is typically good once the underlying cause is identified according to Ellen Lindell, VMD, DACVB. She shares information about diagnostics, behaviors, treatments and training. Clients are often … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – 5 resources needed for summer travel with pets
The staff at Global VetLink summarizes helpful tips to ensure animal owners’ travel plans go smoothly this summer. Know if the state you’re traveling to has changed their 7001 form rules Brush up on your regulatory knowledge Look up state movement requirements before traveling with animals Find movement requirements for international health certificates Keep … [Read more...]
Brainwash your veterinary patients
Monique Feyrecilde, BA, LVT, VTS (Behavior), reminds us that pets are often unconsciously classically conditioned by their owners and by veterinary professionals. To efficiently change a conditioned response, you will need to use desensitization in conjunction with classical and operant counterconditioning. Source: FIRSTLINE, June 17, 2019. Link. Wield the benevolent … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – Separation anxiety CE from PRN University
PRN® Pharmacal's UniversityPRN.com < link > announced a new 1-hour CE course on Separation Anxiety written by Boarded Behaviorist Dr. Debra Horwitz. During the course participants will learn to: Recognize the signs of separation anxiety in dogs Inquire about the symptoms, triggers and risk factors Identify differential and co-morbid diagnoses Recommend … [Read more...]
Antibiotic influence persists in the environment long after they’ve done their duty
Antibiotics’ influence persists in the environment long after they've done their duty, according to recent studies that revealed a global problem with drugs found in major rivers. The samples were screened for 14 different types of commonly used antibiotics. No continent was immune. Researchers found traces of at least one drug in 65 percent of all the samples they studied … [Read more...]
Middle-aged users drive social media use
You’re just as likely to use social media if you are 35 to 54 years old or if you’re under 35 years old. This shift and other insights in the Social Habit report from Edison Research, is important to practice marketers who promote their clinics via social media. Instagram and Snapchat users are typically younger, but those older than 34 outnumber youngsters on Facebook, … [Read more...]
TickEncouter website helps with tick identification and prevention
The TickEncounter Resource Center (TERC) from the University of Rhode Island promotes tick bite protection and tick-borne disease prevention by engaging, educating and empowering people to take action. One supportive element allows persons and organizations to become TickEncounter Prevention Partners. A new program enables nationwide crowd-sourced tick surveillance using … [Read more...]
Veterinary practice consolidation demystified
Under current trends, consolidation of veterinary practices will continue until just three or four companies control 60% or more of the market. Michael Dicks, PhD, and Melissa Maddux, DVM, provide a detailed commentary on the progression of corporate ownership of practices and the rationales for clinic evaluations, strategies and needs of various types of practice group … [Read more...]
Meet Gen Fur, the biggest growing target market
Jeanne Shields says to forget Gens X, Y and Z. The biggest growth market is what she calls Gen Fur. Shields sites a recent article from Forbes < link > that features metrics that confirm the explosive growth of the pet industry. The new generation of pet owners embraces pet ownership with enthusiasm and spares no expense in treating their pets like family. Source: … [Read more...]
PetInsuranceInfo.com to help pet owners learn about, compare pet insurance
LifeLearn Animal Health announced the launch of PetInsuranceInfo.com < link >, a new pet insurance education website. It can help pet owners learn about what pet insurance is, what it isn't and the questions they need to ask prior to buying a policy. The site also allows pet owners to easily compare quotes from different pet insurance companies and find the coverage that … [Read more...]
Veterinarians must think like entrepreneurs
While you may not consider yourself one, there is no doubt in my mind that you are an entrepreneur. More importantly, in today’s competitive market with consolidation occurring daily, your survival depends on you thinking like an entrepreneur. Your scientific mind is great when your treating your clients, but your customer base will only grow as you sharpen your entrepreneurial … [Read more...]
Call the vet! Rural America needs help
Betsy Freese, executive editor of Successful Farming and a veterinarian’s wife, writes about the dearth of veterinarians in rural areas came to be and how we can fix the situation. From documenting the realities of underserved communities to 16 unvarnished trends about veterinary medicine, she puts the names and faces and with the intestinal fortitude it takes to be a … [Read more...]
Opinion – Keyboards could become obsolete with AI
Artificial intelligence (AI) seems more like an oxymoron than reality. Weird e-mails, robocalls and web pop-ups are already the products of rudimentary AI applications, as well as Siri and Alexa. Ian Heller offers considerations about AI being used in ordering and replenishment platforms. It is worth thinking about in the context of inventory replenishment and … [Read more...]
Roark takes down website to focus on suicide prevention
Taking a 48-hour departure from normal web activities, Andy Roark, DVM, and staff draw attention to a single article they think everyone in veterinary medicine should read and consider. It is a proposal for what we, as a profession, need to do now to combat the epidemic of suicide. If you are having thoughts of suicide or know someone who is, text 741741 or call 800-273-TALK … [Read more...]
Opinion – It’s the little things that count
Every so often, it is valuable to challenge the way we’ve always done things. Small adjustments or fixes can yield sizeable results. The article about Walmart’s stools is a fine example of how something simple can improve results. Consider taking some time in the next team meeting to identify three things that aren’t easy or handy. Then plan to address each one at the next … [Read more...]
Opinion – Fair Oaks issues affect all animal health pros
Dairies, kennels, catteries, swine operations, racetracks, feedyards, even backyard poultry coops, no matter how well-run, took an animal welfare hit when video footage of abuse at Fair Oaks Farms became public. Purdue University’s Candace Croney, PhD, is correct when she said, “. . . events like this can happen anywhere. What is most important is the response to them.” She … [Read more...]
Pygmy rabbits, back from extinction
Who knew? North America’s smallest rabbits, the state and federally endangered Columbia Basin pygmy rabbits in Washington now number in the hundreds, but they remain far from a resilient and healthy population. Their story will interest many animal health pros who value biodiversity. Source: Atlas Obscura, June 7, 2019. Link. Columbia Basin pygmy rabbits are far better off … [Read more...]
4 summer dangers for cats
We all like to get outside during summer. Erica Dermer explains that cat owners often like to include their cats without thinking about common outdoor dangers. Summer danger lurks around every corner, from UV rays to heatstroke to reptiles and insects that bite and sting, along with other animals carrying parasites. This is a good article to reference in social media, blogs, … [Read more...]
Cats are obligate carnivores
In this age of fake meat and vegetable obsessions, animal owners are selecting pet foods that reflect their own preferences. While some of this choice dynamic is clearly beneficial for food quality assurances, cats are an anomaly when it comes to animal protein. Domestic cats are true obligate carnivores who must eat meat in order to receive certain vital compounds for their … [Read more...]
Pet food dishes, one of the germiest places in homes
Yuk! A study done by NSF International examined 30 everyday items from 22 different households. Pet food dishes ranked 4th in the final list of germ hot spots topped by kitchen sponge/dish rag, kitchen sink and toothbrush holder. Food bowls can serve as ideal breeding grounds for bacteria, mold, and yeast. Source: Reader's Digest. Link. To prevent any potential sickness … [Read more...]
Booker T. Pug, reading tutor (includes video)
An Award of Merit at the 143rd Westminster Dog Show was a stage for Booker T. to make a difference in the lives of children, specifically by supporting reading and learning. Enjoy the coverage of this pug and his role in education. Source: University of West Georgia, June 10, 2019. Link. “Booker offers a nonjudgmental environment for kids to practice reading,” said Meghen … [Read more...]
Prison dogs do good
America’s largest maximum-security prison is in Angola, Louisiana. Dogs have always been here. They sniff for drugs, search for escapees and provide support to the sick and elderly. Two years ago, Major Keavin Tanner and his wife, Master Sgt. Sarah Tanner, created the Prisoners Assisting Warrior Services program (PAWS), a volunteer program that trains service dogs for veterans. … [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...]
A guide to dog muzzles
If an owner is relying on a dog muzzle in the absence of any other training – they are failing. These devices are not magic, they will not solve a behavioral problem and they aren’t a cop-out for a poorly trained dog. They simply limit damage while you rehabilitate your dog, says John Woods. He adds muzzles can be brilliant for reactive dogs, as they can help to: Limit … [Read more...]
Overexcitement may be addictive to dogs
The adrenalin rush dogs get when excited can be addictive, shares Trish King. She says the epinephrine responses are good for animals in the wild, where an action not taken lead to death. But, it’s not always so useful in our world. Animal owners with dogs who get overly excited can gain one or two tips from this article. Share it on social media, websites, in blogs or … [Read more...]
Your dog feels your stress
It is proven that dogs and their owners can experience the same emotions and stress levels, especially during highly stressful or exciting activities such as competitions or police work. A new study suggests dogs may be highly sensitive to our stress. Source: NPR Shots, June 6, 2019. Link. “It was the owner’s personality that influenced the dog’s hair cortisol level, rather … [Read more...]
Study explores DVM attitudes regarding euthanasia
Patricia Wuest summarizes a recent study that found 69 percent of veterinarian respondents said they had felt moderate to severe distress about not being able to give animals what they thought was the right care. Almost two-thirds were bothered by inappropriate requests for euthanasia. The study exposes animal health pros to the challenges of being the point of service for … [Read more...]
Animal hoarding caused by multiple issues
Kirk Miller, DVM, helps us understand the issues around hoarding beyond those of the long-established crazy cat lady. He says what classifies a person as a hoarder isn’t a particular number of animals, rather it’s whether or not those animals are provided with sufficient care. Miller explains three types of hoarders and potential intervention approaches. The overwhelmed … [Read more...]