Dissent and dissatisfaction are often masked by the historical statement, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” Unfortunately, such experiences lead to customer loss. Marc Rosenberg, VMD, shares how routine preemptive troubleshooting with clinic staff members help to correct complaints heard before they rise to become points of contention. He shares … [Read more...]
Pig Paradigm searching for alternatives to antimicrobials
Sharing advancements in the from exploring the interaction of the host, diet and gut microbiota to prevent infection in the gut of developing piglets is an objective of the Pig Paradigm. At their annual meeting And Liu, PhD, shared study results showing by adding the probiotic Bacillus subtilis, severe cases of post-weaning diarrhea were reduced by as much as five percent and … [Read more...]
Blackshirt Feeders: Closing the beef-on-dairy loop with data and technology
With contracts that stipulate every calf is tracked from birth with sire, health and performance data, Lee Leachman calls the closed-loop production model for beef on dairy a game changer. Greg Henderson explains how Blackshirt Feeders’ closed-loop system links the semen provider to the dairy to the feedyard and from where value will be derived. Source: Drovers, June 25, … [Read more...]
How the U.S. cowherd is distributed
70 percent of the U.S. cowherds use grass and maintain healthy grasslands, while the other 30 percent are finishing in an efficient feeding system or are maintaining a high-energy diet through a dairy production cycle. Source: Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, Facebook, June 13, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Sport horse DVM answers 6 questions about osteoarthritis
Steve Allday, DVM, has been the lameness specialist for many equine legends. He shares his perspectives on osteoarthritis with a focus on prevention. Content like this can help veterinary teams educate their clients about what it takes to keep a horse sound. Social media posts or newsletters offer practices ways to proactively communicate best health practices to horse … [Read more...]
Safeguarding the equine industry: The importance of biosecurity practices
A recent study sheds valuable light on the current understanding and practices of horse owners across the country. In addition to the critical role veterinarians play in providing horse owners with medical information and guidance on biosecurity practices, the study revealed how horse owners prefer education and several key biosecurity techniques that horse owners can … [Read more...]
14 cat overpopulation statistics
As Adopt A Cat Month comes to a close Matt Jackson shares updated statistics about the massive feline overpopulation problem. In addition to approximately 75 million pet cats, there are an estimated 30 to 40 million stray and unhomed cats in the U.S. Most of these are not neutered and will never enter a shelter. Source: Catster, June 24, 2024. Link. The population of cats is … [Read more...]
7 ways to set an effective puppy schedule
Sharing advice for new puppy owners, the author urges them to set a schedule for their puppies and be patient and consistent about following it. This is good to share via social media, newsletters and in new puppy kits. Source: Happy Puppy Tips. Link. INSIGHTS: For puppies that attend daycare, pet owners should mirror the daycare schedule at home as much as possible. … [Read more...]
Exploring holistic care remedies and therapies for common dog ailments
If for no other reason than to answer animal owner inquiries, we recommend veterinary teams review the information in the article linked below. Anderson Cox covers acupuncture to essential oils and more. Exploring natural remedies and therapies for common dog ailments is not a trend, rather a shift towards a more balanced, whole approach to canine health, Cox says. He … [Read more...]
The average dairy cow is still growing
There is a vital need for reevaluation of current feeding and grouping strategies, writes Alvaro Garcia. Separating first-lactation cows from older ones in dairy barn settings serves several critical purposes including tailored management, particularly in nutrition. The herd’s social dynamics often significantly impact younger cows. With most cows spending a limited time on … [Read more...]
Rethinking mid-lactation milk fever
The causes of mid-lactation milk fever are different than calcium milk fever in fresh cows, which makes the term somewhat misleading. Mid-lactation milk fever often occurs in multiparous, high-producing cows that had no problem in previous milkings. The authors explain the need to focus on hypomagnesemia noting nutritional and inflammatory challenges that may lead to … [Read more...]
6 myths about cooling horses in hot weather
Not all horses cool down the same due to variable thermal responses, writes Tanja Bornmann. She addresses heat illness and dispels beliefs horse owners may have about hosing down horses, wiping the water away, humidity and more. Consider sharing this with horse owners on social media and in newsletters. Include your own comments, too. A few seconds to send a post might save a … [Read more...]
6 foods we eat that can kill dogs
Big John turned his back away from the grill’s side table briefly to answer a question from a guest. In a flash, the guest’s dog went grill-surfing, grabbing a sizeable chunk of garlic-infused and onion powder-dressed roast. Now, a nice dinner was missing, and there was a chance the dog might get ill. Despite those big brown begging eyes, we have to be careful with these six … [Read more...]
How to enter flow state (video)
Flow is more than just concentrating or paying attention; it's a unique mental state of effortless engagement. The producers of ths video share ways we can adjust to enter flow more often. They say those who more frequently experience flow report higher levels of positive emotions, creativity, and feelings of accomplishment. Source: TED, July 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Why paternity leave is a must-have benefit for dads
Employers need to reflect on who their caregiving benefits are leaving out and whether their work culture is a place where those benefits can be used, writes Deanna Cuadra. Pew Research Center found that more than half of dads are dissatisfied with how much time they spend with their family, which is two times more than moms who reported the same. SHRM found that parental leave … [Read more...]
Cushing: We’re not doing enough for vet techs
The topic of non-DVM veterinary professionals will dominate the pet health care horizon over the next few years, asserts Mark Cushing in the article linked below. Noting the similarities between the time spent with nurses and the time pet owners spend with non-DVM pros, he lists issues surrounding the vet tech profession that deserve respect and attention. Source: Today’s … [Read more...]
Debunking fly spray myths
The authors address four common misconceptions about one keeping bugs at bay: More spray is better All fly sprays work the same way Fly spray applied to a wet horse won’t be effective Insecticides and repellents are all you need to protect horses from flies Source: EQUUS, June 5, 2024. Link. Fly sprays are a key part of any insect-control program, but they … [Read more...]
Horse stiffness requires attention
Even slight stiffness requires attention and consideration, writes Devin Conley. He shares the importance of proper warm-ups noting discomfort and stiffness attributed to arthritis, age, and other life factors are things that can be managed with the proper care and support from a veterinarian. Source: Horse and Rider, June 10, 2024. Link. . . . don’t disregard stiffness … [Read more...]
Noise from stainless steel kennels ‘detrimental’ to patient health, survey shows
Includes Commercial Content A recent CASCO Pet survey reveals how noise can pose challenges to staff and patients. Clanging, resonant and disruptive, stainless steel kennels can significantly exacerbate fear, stress and anxiety and impact recovery. Source: Veterinary Practice News, June 10, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Tips and tricks for teething puppies
Teething puppies generate tons of questions for all animal health pros. Each pup has its own toothy challenges and there is not a universal way to deal with the discomfort and consequences. In the article linked here, the authors address ways to help a teething puppy be more comfortable. It is a good reference to share with puppy owners on social media or in newsletters. Gum … [Read more...]
IDEXX expands test menu for the Catalyst Platform for diagnosing pancreatitis
IDEXX announced the Catalyst® Pancreatic Lipase Test, a new in-clinic quantitative assay that measures pancreatic lipase in dogs and cats suspected of pancreatitis in less than 10 minutes. Diagnosing pancreatitis can be difficult due to its nonspecific symptoms and subtle clinical signs, including vomiting and weight loss, which are among the 10 most frequently recorded … [Read more...]
Pig spit could become indicator of animal health
Say what? We don't really know what the microbial community normally looks like in healthy pigs so researchers chose to study the saliva of weaned piglets to fill a scientific gap. The study found significant differences in samples collected from five farms, but noted the bacterial communities identified in oral fluids from piglets appear to be less diverse than those in fecal … [Read more...]
A look into acidosis and liver abcesses
Liver abscesses are nothing new to beef packers, but the condition is more common in crossbreds. The incidence is rising in native and dairy-influenced cattle. There is not one clear cause of liver abscesses. However, it is widely accepted that they are more common in animals that experience ruminal acidosis, according to Kendall L. Samuelson, PhD, PAS. Samuelson describes … [Read more...]
Resolving 4 common types of team conflict
Managers spend 20 percent of their time on average managing team conflict. Through experiences and research the authors have identified four common patterns of team conflict: The solo dissenter: conflict surrounds one individual The boxing match: two team members disagree Warring Factions: two subgroups within a team disagree The blame game: the whole team is in … [Read more...]
Reviewing the basics of needle care
Changing needles every 10 animals is a good rule when injecting cattle, writes Lindsay Waechter-Mead, DVM. She reinforces the importance of needle care, proper sizing and biosecurity measures when cattle producers are injecting animals. Note the graphic showing needle selection based on weight of cattle, route of administration and viscosity of product. Source: Progressive … [Read more...]
Extruded feed supports a healthy gut in horses
Includes Commercial Content Understanding the comprehensive benefits of extruded feed can help nurture happier, healthier horses who are ready to meet their full potential in every aspect of their lives. From foal to senior horse, pelleted feeds can improve the absorption of vital nutrients, provide more calories for growth, development, and performance, and may help lower … [Read more...]
Review: DMSO use in horses
Christine Barakat shares seven things you might not know about dimethyl sulfoxide and how it is used in horses. The FDA approved DMSO in 1970 for topical use on horses and dogs and we’re still learning about this industrial solvent now classified as an NSAID. Source: EQUUS, May 3, 2024. Link. Equine veterinarians regularly use the chemical “off-label” in other ways to treat … [Read more...]
Glyphosate in dog food
Laura Ward, BSc, shares perspectives on bioaccumulation of chemicals in foods we and our pets eat. Specifically, she says glyphosate, a non-selective herbicide applied to the leaves to kill plants and grasses, is found in a vast amount of human and dog food. She notes glyphosate does not accumulate in meat from animals as it does in plants. Wards is not trying to cause … [Read more...]
Updated canine neutering guidelines
Researchers at the University of California-Davis, have updated their guidelines on when to neuter 40 popular dog varieties by breed and sex. Five breeds have been added to research begun in 2013 that questioned early neutering due to increased risk of joint diseases and certain cancers. The updated guidelines emphasize the importance of personalized decisions regarding the … [Read more...]
How to determine the best approach to separation-related behaviors in dogs
When a dog exhibits separation-related behaviors, the first objective is to determine the underlying cause, writes Moira Hechenleitner DVM, CSAT. Understanding these behaviors and what causes them offers the best chances of a successful outcome before implementing an approach to deal with them. Source: Innovative Veterinary Care, May 23, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: Articles … [Read more...]