Last week’s most read post 5 scary consequences of neglecting pets’ oral care. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, Jan 20, 2022. Link. =========================== Old or elderly? What’s the difference? Source: For Seniors Magazine, March 20, 2021. Link. The terms “old” and “elderly” are often used interchangeably, but … [Read more...]
Archives for January 2022
Wild pigs, a ticking time bomb on U.S. pork industry
Feral hogs pose a serious threat to the health of the U.S. pork industry specifically if African swine fever were to infect and spread in wild herds. There is no vaccine nor cure and the disease has a long track record of crossing international borders and wiping out billions of pigs. Source: PORK, June 29, 2021. Link. Wild pigs have exploded in numbers across the U.S., … [Read more...]
A pig’s role in human health
Xenotransplantation is the term for transplanting living cells, tissues or organs from one species to another, and the practice was first tried in the 1980s. Early in January 2022, as a last-ditch effort to save David Bennett’s life, doctors at the University of Maryland Medical Center transplanted a pig’s heart into him. Bennett, a 57-year-old man, was not eligible for a … [Read more...]
All about calves
Complimentary Commercial Content In our review of this January’s Bovine Veterinarian, Rhonda Brooks shares calf content was 60 percent of the top-read content. This parallels our experiences with AHD content. For the first time, we’re not cherry picking specific articles but providing the link to the full online issue. We continue to see new developments of optimizing … [Read more...]
It’s time to cull “cull cows” from our vocabulary
Cull cow weight and cull cow price have long been top factors in herd profitability. Making the decision to remove a cow from the herd is not always an easy one. Determining when the cow leaves and how is equally important. Contrary to what many believe, dairy cattle contribute much more to the beef industry than just ground beef. Changing the vocabulary from cull cow to … [Read more...]
Guinea pig might be coming to a high-end restaurant near you
While the concept might make us cringe, there are parts of the world where guinea pigs are seen as something to be farmed instead of an adorable furry house pet. Cuy (guinea pig) is popular in South America and is described to taste more like a game hen, with dark and stringy flesh. Considerations beyond edible pet concerns include factory farming-like development and carbon … [Read more...]
APHIS reports more wild birds with avian flu
Following our January 18 post <Link>, APHIS confirmed two additional cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild migratory birds in the coastal Southeast. High path bird flu can spread rapidly and wipe out a flock so poultry raisers are urged to review and enhance their safeguards against the viral disease. Source: Successful Farming, January 19, 2022. … [Read more...]
USDA grants emergency-use authorization for RHDV2 as virus spreads
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Center for Veterinary Biologics recently granted emergency-use authorization for an experimental RHDV2 vaccine produced by Medgene Labs, a biotechnology company in Brookings, South Dakota. Since then, the vaccine has been cleared for distribution by animal health officials in 32 states. Source: VIN, October 15, 2021. Link. Also see: … [Read more...]
What cats want from furniture
There are countless pieces of cat furniture on the market today with all kinds of features and in every decorating style to create an enriching, stress-free environment for our cats. There are a few key considerations. We captured these three: Safety should be a priority Allow for climbing, hiding, lounging, scratching, and playing while being space conscious … [Read more...]
Taking your cat to the vet: Cat Talk video series
Several veterinarians are featured in this educational video from Cat Friendly Homes. It shares worthwhile tips for crating and traveling with cats. Videos like this are welcomed by pet owners, most of whom need continual best practices reinforcement. Consider these videos for newsletters and social media posts. Source: Cat Friendly Homes. Link. Cat Friendly Homes is powered … [Read more...]
Diagnosing adverse food reactions in canine and feline patients
Adverse food reactions in dogs and cats can be frustrating for pet owners and veterinarians, shares Kate Boatright, VMD. Recognizing common clinical signs and starting diet trials with a novel protein or hydrolyzed diet are important to obtaining an accurate diagnosis. Boatwright says recent evidence suggests low-dose prednisolone use at the beginning of the diet trial may … [Read more...]
Top 10 medium-sized dogs
Medium-sized dogs are desirable right-sized dogs fitting between tiny and large or giant dogs. Small dog breeds weigh up to around 20 pounds, while large dog breeds begin at about 60 pounds. Medium-sized dogs have been identified as popular candidates for people wanting a sturdy companion, including these first three of 10 on the list: Australian Shepard Bassett … [Read more...]
Bullvine’s Top 10 editors’ choice articles of 2021
The battle of sires, genetics and clones is complemented by a review of dairy consolidation. Of particular interest was article number 10, How milk producers can breed problem free dairy cows. No doubt dairy veterinary teams and company representatives will be hearing about some of these forward-looking concepts. Source: The Bullvine, January 21, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Choosing a trainer and training tips for dog owners (podcast)
There’s always more than enough training advice to go around. The real challenge is consistent execution. For animal health pros, it is important to continually reinforce consistent training approaches to help dogs’ and owners’ communal lives. . . . all dogs can benefit from training throughout their lives.” Samantha Balban discusses choosing trainers, training methods and … [Read more...]
Educating pet owners on correcting nuisance behaviors (video)
It’s not rocket science, but redirecting pets is not a normal reaction. Chris Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC, advocates pet owners redirect problem behaviors in their companion animals rather than responding with punishment. Have we provided the pet an appropriate outlet for nuisance behaviors? What do we want the animal to do?” - Chris Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC Source: DVM 360, … [Read more...]
No-cost coaching
Coaching is a valuable way to create clarity and deal with the uncertainty of an increasingly nuanced world of work. Source: Harvard Business Review, January 13, 2022. Link. Asking yourself insightful coaching questions will unlock your thinking and support you to identify actions that will help you make positive progress.” INSIGHT: The greatest coaching questions are … [Read more...]
IPBSA Fast Bites – January 24, 2022
Pet care commerce gaining importance, hamsters emerge as pets of choice, small business tax options, China hotel built with dogs in mind and more . . . Source: IPBSA Fast Bites, January 24, 2022. Link. INSIGHTS: IBPSA offers business resources, staff education, and legislative support. IBPSA Members include the owners and employees of pet boarding and daycare facilities, … [Read more...]
Turn away from the screen and tech habits to start for a happier 2022
Realizing she needed to make changes that reoriented her brain from distraction-based impulses and toward periods of deep, sustained focus, Rebecca Ruiz shares her story and five tech habits to help us feel more in control and energized. Spend chunks of the day, even three-minute bursts, without your phone or device. To truly reorient the brain toward quiet and stillness, you … [Read more...]
Caffeine tolerance is real
Long hours, early mornings, late nights and ongoing challenges of Covid recovery have some of us reaching for more caffeine than usual. More than 80 percent of U.S. adults turn to caffeine sources for an extra boost to get through a groggy morning, to stimulate our brains or for an afternoon pick-me-up. If you’ve noticed growing need to increase your caffeine intake to … [Read more...]
Gonadectomy resources for veterinarians
Elective and often controversial, pet sterilization is an important part of pet owner decision making. As the risks and benefits of gonadectomy are re-examined, a renewed conversation about if and when to sterilize a pet is emerging. The AVMA stays on top of this topic and provides resources for veterinarians and pet owners as spay and neuter decisions are considered. As we … [Read more...]
Banks say consumers are in good shape. Cost of care opportunities?
Opinion, with Sponsored Content Believe it or not, top bankers say consumer spending is rebounding as we move past pandemic fears. Regardless of the bankers’ positions, veterinary teams and animal health businesses remain historically cautious when dealing with animal owners. Often criticized for prejudging pocketbooks, veterinary teams especially have opportunities every … [Read more...]
Latest well-being study reveals increased distress among veterinary professionals
It is no surprise the pandemic impacted many veterinarians and clinic staff, including veterinary technicians, veterinary assistants, practice managers and client service representatives. More than 90 percent of study respondents reported the shortage of qualified veterinary staff has been one of the biggest concerns throughout the pandemic. Sixty eight percent indicated … [Read more...]
Mark Cuban’s new online pharmacy. Will one for critters be next?
Opinion The online pharmacy business has a new option presented as a vertical channel strategy to eliminate the middleman. Cuban’s company launched the online pharmacy, Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug. Focusing on transparency, the pharmacy's prices reflect actual manufacturer prices, plus a 15 percent margin and a $3.00 pharmacist fee. Source: United Press International, … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – January 20, 2022
Last week’s most read post Lyme-carrying ticks live longer. What? Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, Jan 13, 2022. Link. =========================== The world’s largest wildlife crossing could have a spring groundbreaking Source: LAist, January 13, 2022. Link. The Liberty Wildlife Crossing has been impressive since its … [Read more...]
Defining when to help during calving’s three stages
Understanding the stages of birthing is critical to identify when or if we need to provide help during calving season. Producers and veterinary teams alike want to increase the likelihood a calf is born alive and off to a good start, writes Mark Z. Johnson, Oklahoma State University Extension. With calving season just around the corner and labor challenges across the … [Read more...]
Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions for cow-calf producers
Michelle Arnold, DVM, covers 10 ways cow-calf producers can improve herd health and prevent as many problems as possible. Among them are quit believing Dr. Google and: Better records Improved water quality Test hay for quality before supplementing Involve a veterinarian and examine the herd vaccination program Improve biosecurity Source: BEEF, January 12, … [Read more...]
Background and research supports caffeine for high-risk calves
Zach Janssen, DVM, shares how producers came to use caffeine to stimulate at-risk calves that are the result of dystocia (difficult birth), hypothermia from being born in the cold or being run down from a stressful event such as disease or transport. While caffeine citrate has proven effective in humans, we are not able to feed this synthetically produced compound to animals … [Read more...]
Bird flu confirmed in wild duck in South Carolina
A wild American wigeon, a species of dabbling duck, was discovered with the highly pathogenic Eurasian H5 variant avian influenza. The virus was considered to pose a low risk of infection to humans, but APHIS issued warnings to poultry producers. Anyone involved with poultry production from the small backyard to the large commercial producer should review their biosecurity … [Read more...]
White-tailed deer can get Covid-19
A recent series of studies have showed white-tailed deer can become infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19. Other studies show wild white-tailed deer can also become infected. Samantha Wisely, professor of wildlife ecology at the University of Florida, details how to keep disease transmission from deer to humans low. Source: University of Florida Extension, … [Read more...]
Foal Patrol season 5. Watch live foaling cams.
Foal Patrol is a one-of-a-kind collection of live cameras following the daily activities of in-foal mares produced by the National Museum of Racing. Millions of people throughout the world have viewed the popular webcam program since its inaugural season in 2018. Source: EQUUS, January 5, 2022. Link. Season 5 will feature a new education site at www.foalpatrol.com/education to … [Read more...]