An estimated 100,000 backyard chicken locations are at risk as Newcastle disease spreads in California. Efforts to educate owners have mostly failed. This has created the need to euthanize all chickens in entire neighborhoods to stop the spread of the disease. All of L.A. County and parts of San Bernardino and Riverside counties have been under quarantine for months . . . To … [Read more...]
Archives for June 2019
Tick, tick, tick . . . TICK!
The range of ticks is expanding, more diseases spread by ticks are being identified, and new species are being introduced to the U.S. by global trade and travel, writes Judy Stone. The expansion of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases appears related to two major factors: a) climate change and, b) forest fragmentation. Humans and animals are challenged. Source: Forbes, May 29, … [Read more...]
Listen to employees and avoid complacency and indifference
There are many possible reasons why a person may choose to quit his or her job. There could be another job offer. They may be starting up their own business. Or maybe they may simply care too much for the organization they are resigning from. Source: LinkedIn, June 5, 2019. Link. “While some organizations aggressively pursue solutions, some organizations have a way of … [Read more...]
The relationship between cattle and wildlife
Often, ranchers and environmentalists are at odds with each other; each having a set of conservationist viewpoints that don’t necessarily match up, writes Amanda Radke. She explains why ruminant animals and wildlife can co-exist and thrive in the same environment. Source: BEEF, May 31, 2019. Link. The agricultural community has much to gain by taking pride in our … [Read more...]
Disease DuJour podcasts cover equine health problems
EquiManagement’s podcast series delves into the research and current best practices for a variety of equine health problems. Expert podcasts hosts include: Rob Holland, DVM Bonnie Barr, DVM Tom Chambers, DVM Tom Riddle, DVM Dr. Steve Reed, DVM Source: Disease DuJour. Link. INSIGHTS: These podcasts are great resources for veterinarians and especially for … [Read more...]
Protect horses from eye injuries
Protecting horses from injuries and illness will also help keep his eyes safe, writes Karen Elizabeth Baril. She reviews potential eye hazards, signs of eye troubles and equine eye emergencies. Equine eye injuries always warrant a call to your veterinarian - Alyssa Warneke, DVM Source: EQUUS, April 1, 2019. Link. Basil shares some of the most common equine eye injuries: … [Read more...]
Equine beauty products, Pop quiz!
Some horse owners may spend more on their horses’ hair-care products than their own. Take this quiz to help them spend their money more wisely and still have a comely, clean horse. Source: EQUUS, May 15, 2019. Link. INSIGHTS: The quiz covers 4 areas that salespersons can use to position the products in their portfolios: Suds and cleaning power How brightening … [Read more...]
Porcupines can cause prickly problems for cows, horses
Heather Smith Thomas shares information about porcupines, discusses various quill removal myths and reveals the challenges of removing quills from cattle and horses. The best way to remove quills is to immobilize the animal while the quills are pulled out with needle-nosed pliers. A straight, quick jerk works best. - Robert Cope, DVM Source: Countryside Magazine, June 2, … [Read more...]
Understanding those chatty chickens
Chickens are extremely chatty. Most chicken owners will be able to identify certain calls, however the motivations behind some chicken noises is less clear. Tamsin Cooper helps decipher intention and emotion in chicken language. Source: Backyard Poultry, June 3, 2019. Link. Chickens are highly social beings. They rely on body language and vocal calls to communicate … [Read more...]
Rabbits, herbs and gastro-intestinal stasis
Brittany May focuses on four garden herbs rabbits may encounter and the rabbits' delicate and unique digestive system. The best food for rabbits is high-quality pellets, hay, vegetables and herbs. Source: Countryside Magazine, February 13, 2019. Link. . . . if you notice your rabbit acting like he is in pain, lethargic, or not eating and drinking, or notice a change in his … [Read more...]
9 ways to tell if a cat is in pain
Cats are instinctively driven to hide suffering, so it can be hard to tell when they're in pain writes JaneA Kelley. She lists subtle signs to help identify a sick cat. The article is good for social media posts and e-newsletters. Source: Catster, May 22, 2019. Link. Kelly lists these 9 common signs of a sick cat: A sick cat may exhibit changes in behavior … [Read more...]
New York bans cat declawing
New York lawmakers passed a ban on cat declawing this week, making the state the first to outlaw the procedure if Governor Andrew Cuomo signs it into law. Despite opposition from some groups, including the New York Veterinary Medical Society, the bill sailed to approval. Source: New York Times, June 5, 2019. Link. New York State joins several cities in banning declawing, … [Read more...]
Discover more urinary tract stones with these tips (includes image slides)
Positive and negative contrast studies can provide additional, often valuable, information to aid in diagnostic evaluation of the urinary tract. Daniel VanderHart, DVM, DACVR, leaves no stone unturned as he discusses the various types of calculi and the use of radiography and ultrasonography. Source: Clinician’s Brief, February 2017. Link. Radiography and ultrasonography … [Read more...]
Reverse sneezing in dogs can signal a problem
Writer Elizabeth Vecsi says reverse sneezing isn’t really sneezing. Officially termed pharyngeal gag reflex or paroxysmal respiration, reverse sneezing in dogs is a condition where a dog will extend his neck and begin making gasping sounds as though she can’t catch her breath. Seeing a dog honk, snort or gasp for breath is alarming for dog owners. Source: Dogster, May 23, … [Read more...]
3 considerations before adding a second dog
Stephanie Borns-Weil, DVM, believes that dogs in general are happier with other dogs. It is hard on social creatures not to live with their co-species members, she says. . . . you can be reasonably sure when bringing home a second dog that your first dog will be better off for the company but never certain just how well it’s going to work . . . Source: Tufts, Your Dog, March … [Read more...]
Dog ownership likely influenced by genetics
A recent Swedish twin study provides evidences of a strong genetic component to dog ownership. The results fit with feelings many have that loving dogs is an intrinsic part of who we are. Heritability for dog ownership ranged from 57 percent for females and 51 percent for males. A shared environment accounted for much less; in the range of 0 to 6 percent. Source: Bark, May … [Read more...]
And on the 7th day, FedEx delivered
FedEx will start delivering packages seven days a week next January. It is also taking back nearly two million home deliveries currently handled by the post office. Source: Associated Press, May 30, 2019. Link. Consumers want packages over the weekend,” President and Chief Operating Officer Raj Subramaniam said in an interview. “As soon as we went to 6-day, we started … [Read more...]
Learning the importance of breathing right
Do you hold your breath when performing a difficult task? For many of us who have played an instrument, sung in a chorus or swam competitively, taking a controlled, deep breath is learned behavior. Author Ashley Neese teaches people how to breathe and shares her belief that we have the power to shift our thinking by changing the way we breathe. Many of us go through life … [Read more...]
June Conversations at The Bridge Club
The Bridge Club announces its June lineup of virtual community conversation topics: 7:00 pm CDT, June 5, 2019. Can veterinarians and breeders work together? - featuring Marty Greer, DVM, and Debra Hamilton, breeder. < click here to register > 7:00 pm CDT, June 12, 2019. The real ‘ins and outs’ of implementing Fear Free – a candid discussion with Jennifer Merlo, … [Read more...]
Opinion – Getting work done while dealing with being human, part 3
Our VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity) world frequently makes it hard to choose between our work and personal life. Beyond balance issues are human factors that challenge our humanity. In this third installment, the articles deal with purpose and time. Putting my purpose to work for me now, SmartBrief, May 31, 2019. Link. Being armed with purpose makes us … [Read more...]
References are important
With the average tenure in a role hovering around 4.2 years, chances are, there's a job search in your future. If you’ve updated your resume with relevant accomplishments, built a strong online brand, and practiced for the interview, you’re way ahead of the game. What about your references? Source: Forbes, May 28, 2019, Link. In a study conducted by the Society of Human … [Read more...]
Show and tell veterinary medicine’s mess
Michael Nappier, DVM, DABVP, contends it is time for veterinary teams to quit shielding clients from the amount of blood, sweat, tears, urine and feces involved in keeping their pets healthy. He recommends finding ways to let clients see what goes on behind exam room doors and in treatment areas. He contends a show and tell mentality could help make the mundane seem miraculous … [Read more...]
Blood-sucking ‘kissing bugs’ cause Chagas disease
If you live in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Georgia, Virginia, South Carolina or Tennessee it’s important to understand Chagas disease. Nancy Scanlan, DVM, CVA, shares information on disease symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. In dogs, the primary area to be infected is the heart, but sometimes the nervous system is also involved. The trypanosomes cause a high level of … [Read more...]
Anthrax, a risk in wet or dry conditions
Dr. Susan Keller reminds producers and veterinarians to remain vigilant and vaccinate cattle against anthrax, especially where the disease has occurred in the past. Spores of the bacteria Bacillus anthracis cause anthrax when consumed and they can survive in the soil for years. In both dry and wet conditions anthrax spores can be transported and become available for cattle to … [Read more...]