Speaking of fire ants, here’s a short animation from TED-Ed that explains the lifecycle of a fire ant queen. From mating to death, it details the queen’s life in a way that is memorable for adults and youngsters alike. Source: YouTube, January 16, 2020. Link. Mating frenzies, sperm hoards, and brood raids: the life of a fire ant queen – Walter R. Tschinkel. Also see: … [Read more...]
Search Results for: fire ant
Flooding making fire ants meaner
Sea level rise and flooding are making fire ants bigger and meaner. Their bites are getting worse, too. According to a recent Louisiana State University study, freshwater and saltwater increase the already aggressive nature of red fire ants. Source: NOLA.com, April 22, 2020. Link. Coastal flooding caused a 72% increase in the volume of venom sacs in individual fire ants 24 … [Read more...]
Rangeland owners need a plan to manage fire ants.
Sponsored Content Red imported fire ants can only be suppressed, or managed, on farm and ranches. They cannot be eradicated. Broadcast applications of some bait-formulated insecticides help get rid of the populations for about a year. Antixx Fire Ant Bait <link> from AHD sponsor Neudorff USA is an efficacious component in a long-term fire ant management strategy. … [Read more...]
Manage fire ants with planning
Red imported fire ants infest pastures, hay fields, barns and equipment. They injure livestock, horses, pets and us, too. Creating a fire ant control plan helps ensure the greatest efficacy using the right products. Antixx Fire Ant Bait <link> (link to tech sheet PDF) from AHD sponsor Neudorff USA is an effective tool that fits a sound fire ant management plan. Spinosad, … [Read more...]
Fire ants can seriously hurt pets
The red imported fire ant can seriously sting and occasionally kill small animals. Young, caged or those with difficulty moving are most apt to be stung. The ants are especially attracted to open sores, hot spots and wounds making attacks even more dangerous to an already weakened animal. Effective fire ant control is possible with Antixx Fire Ant Bait <link> from AHD … [Read more...]
Fire ants getting busy, especially after heavy rains
Sponsored by Neudorff USA Already fired up by warmer weather, red imported fire ants will become even more active and dangerous after recent heavy rains in southern states. Livestock, poultry and pet owners are advised to watch for the telltale mounds the pests build. Newborn calves and foals are especially at risk in … [Read more...]
10 tips to keep your dog calm during fireworks
Independence Day celebrations will be here soon. As usual, some will start early and run late. The American Kennel Club offers 10 tips to calm dogs in this video with Kathy Santo, master trainer. Source: American Kennel Club, May 22, 2024. Link. (Includes video) Here are three of 10 expert-approved tips to keep dogs safe during fireworks and other loud situations. Keep … [Read more...]
Fired? Terminated? Ways to forgive yourself and move on
Not all annual reviews go as planned. Company market opportunities change, new management adjusts strategies or individual performance is not ideal. Getting fired or terminated can be a traumatic personal and career experience even if it may have been out of your control. Erica Lamberg shares what experts say are specific steps that can help ease the sting and get you on the … [Read more...]
Understanding immediate and long-term effects of wildfires
Writing about the effects of 90 or more wildfires in the western U.S. during 2022, Corey Geiger reminds us how smoke and fine particulate matter stress cows and calves. Mature cows are impacted immediately which is seen in reduced milk production. Calves however may be affected for their production lives. . . . the preweaning period is critical in future performance . . . … [Read more...]
Make fire prevention a priority during National Fire Prevention Week
National Fire Prevention Week is October 9 – 15. This Farm Progress article is a timely reminder about fire risks and fire safety from an on-farm perspective. There are plenty of in-town risks, as well. Be sure to remove debris from air ducts and around HVAC units and keep outdoor break areas clutter-free. Fire extinguishers should be checked annually. The most important … [Read more...]
The all-important prepurchase exam of a horse
Chris White, DVM, shares what to expect and the value of a pre-purchase exam of a horse a client is considering buying. There’s nothing worse for DVMs than performing a post-purchase exam on a horse that didn’t receive a PPE and delivering the news that a new equine companion has terrible navicular changes or severe kissing spines” - Chris White, DVM Source: The Horse, July … [Read more...]
Record-breaking temperatures, raging fires, drought. It’s just NOT GOOD!
Source: CNN, May 9, 2022. Link. We believe it is important to consider the potential consequences and get prepared for challenges now and through the second quarter of 2022. … [Read more...]
Evaluation of antimicrobial prescriptions in dogs with suspected bacterial urinary tract disease
A study published in the August 16 edition of the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine evaluated antimicrobial prescriptions for dogs in the U.S. and Canada diagnosed with urinary tract disease. Understanding antimicrobial use is a critical component of antimicrobial stewardship efforts. Decreases in duration and increased use of recommended first-line antimicrobials were … [Read more...]
How toxic is wildfire smoke?
There are five particles that determine air quality: carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and ozone. These provide an air quality index. Air quality is measured by a numbered scale which begins at zero and goes to 500. Anything above 150 to 200 is considered terrible air quality, even though the scale goes to 500. Source: The Outdoor Wear, August 12, 2021. … [Read more...]
Other small pets, an important segment to monitor
Pet ownership beyond cats and dogs may make up a small part of the industry’s focus, but trends in small pets mirror what’s happening in the marketplace. The popularity of reptiles and amphibians within the pet trade is simply on fire right now. . . ” - John Mack. founder and CEO of Reptiles by Mack Source: Petfood Industry, October 2020. Link. INSIGHTS: Watch any two … [Read more...]
Cattle might be secret weapon in fight against wildfires
University of California Cooperative Extension researchers are evaluating how much fine fuel like grasses and other plants known to start fires cattle eat and how their feeding behavior may affect flame activity. There is more to learn, but it this preliminary study shows cattle may be valuable in reducing fire risk. . . . without cattle grazing, there would be hundreds to … [Read more...]
Noisy children get WFH parent fired
Whizy Kid’s article sparks memories of a 15th century saying, “Children should be seen not heard.” Fueled by the story of a California woman whose employer fired her because her children were allegedly too noisy, Kid discusses employment at will, just cause, gender discrimination and wrongful termination. Source: Refinery 29, July 10. Link. The pandemic has burst the dam on … [Read more...]
Don’t let barn fires happen
Barn fires in North America occur predominantly in the winter months. Supplemental heating, increased bedding, fuel containers and aging electrical wiring are common reasons animal barns and shelters catch fire during winter months. This article focuses on dairies but horse barns, kennels and coops are also susceptible. Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, December 9, 2019. Link. A … [Read more...]
Thunder, firecrackers and more loud sounds
Spring storms have been frequent and loud this year in the Midwest. Add graduation celebrations with fireworks and it’s a noise-averse dog’s nightmare. Bonnie Beaver, DVM, shares strategies for managing sound sensitivity in dogs. The information is an excellent reference to share with dog owners frequently. Studies have suggested that nearly 49% of dogs are reported by … [Read more...]
Vet professionals more likely to be hurt on the job than firefighters
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, people in the veterinary services profession were the second most likely to have nonfatal injuries in 2016, behind nursing and residential care workers and ahead of truss makers, police officers, and firefighters. About 12 percent of people in the veterinary services profession reported work-related injuries or illnesses—four times … [Read more...]
Empathy important during that special time
The incredible bond that develops between military personnel and the animals that support them into battle is in a category all its own. This was evident July 26 as Marine veteran Jeff DeYoung carried his best friend Cena past a line of well-wishers on a decommissioned Navy ship to be euthanized. The 10-year-old black Labrador suffered from bone cancer. Source: Washington … [Read more...]
11 things you should know about dogs and fireworks
Independence Day celebrations are a couple weeks away. The time to prepare for the anxiety dogs experience from the sounds of fireworks is now, not then. Our friends at Purina developed 11 common-sense tips that are useful fodder for websites, blogs and newsletter. Hurry and share. July 4th is almost here. Source: Purina. Before July 4th rolls around, here are eleven things … [Read more...]
Any smartphone or laptop can catch fire
BE WARNED! Lithium ion batteries are statistically quite safe, and fires are rare — but they store a large amount of energy in a very small space, so the danger is real. How you use and recharge devices that contain lithium ion batteries could have a significant impact on fire risks. Source: Bottomline Personal, May 1, 2017. Advice from the National Fire Protection … [Read more...]
First the fires then snow: Kansas in distress
Recent blizzards have potentially devastated the western Kansas wheat crop. This is significant because Kansas grew one of every five bushels of U.S. wheat last year. Its farmers specialize in winter wheat, which is planted in the fall, goes dormant during the winter and sprouts again in the spring. Winter wheat accounts for two thirds, or more, of the U.S. crop each … [Read more...]
Nudging your customers may backfire
Marketers and sales representatives will find this article interesting. Maintaining the right reminder frequency is challenging. This is especially true in the most competitive point-of-sale locations where message clarity is met with strong counter messages. Veterinary teams are often hesitant to communicate proactively with customers, let alone nudge them. Learning to balance … [Read more...]
From snowstorm to firestorm
Areas the east of winter storm Goliath’s worst impact are being scorched by the Anderson Creek wildfire. The combination of the two events in the past 90 days means much of the South Central region, where livestock grazing dominates, faces more challenges. This area has been hit by severe drought in recent years, as well. Source: Associated Press, March 28, 2016. The fire … [Read more...]
Shy and boisterous dogs warrant attention
This pair of articles will catch dog owners’ eyes. Thus, both are important to animal health pros who service dog owners, offer behavior training or support training classes. Chronic timidity limits a dog’s life quality and can become dangerous for others if the dog acts out of aggression. Incessant barking, jumping up and destructive chewing are on the other end of the dog … [Read more...]
Zoonotic diseases quiz is timely
Among the current and future challenges of the Hurricane Harvey devastation is the risk of zoonotic disease exchanges. An entire underground population of rats, mice, feral cats, skunks, raccoons and who knows what else was forced to move along with people. Like humans, they will move back into the area carrying with them all sorts of zoonotic risks including leptospirosis, … [Read more...]
When bosses should slow things down
“Better slow down there, young fella . . . see, if you take your time . . . you get a more harmonious outcome,” says the character Joe Gill to J.T. in the movie Crossfire Trail. It parallels another colloquialism, “The hurrier I go, the behinder I get.” Both quotes apply to the author’s assertion in the first article here. Two articles with two divergent perspectives are … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – July 13, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, July 6th, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from July 6th AHD Bulletin – Check your assumptions at the door to avoid medical gaslighting. Link. The hard truth. Link. Bear cam livestream returns for salmon run. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy … [Read more...]