Conference sessions touched on everything from advances in stunning methods to concerns for animal transportation to regulatory updates during the recent conference held in Kansas City, Missouri May 25th – 26th. Source: Meat+Poultry, May 30, 2023. Link. INSIGHTS: Monitoring information on high/low stocking densities in livestock transport trailers should interest … [Read more...]
Springtime skin problems
Warmer, wetter weather puts horses at greater risk of several skin conditions, writes Heather Smith-Thomas. She reviews four equine skin problems that are common in the springtime months and what to do about them: Allergies to insect bites Pollen allergies Pastern dermatitis (“scratches”) Rainrot Source: EQUUS, June 2018. Link. Horses can develop allergies, … [Read more...]
Puppy break! 30 dog breeds that have the cutest puppies.
Agree or not about the cutest, the Daily Paws list of puppies is sure to bring a smile and a desire to give a puppy a hug! Source: Daily Paws, June 10, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Study confirms a way to communicate with cats
Research from 2020 has shown people can communicate better with cats by smiling at them more. But not in the human tooth-baring way but the cat way, by narrowing your eyes and blinking slowly. The study results showed that cats are more likely to slow-blink at their humans after their humans have slow–blinked at them, compared to the no–interaction condition. It even worked … [Read more...]
Sociability is key to a healthier dog’s life
Data from the Dog Aging project has identified the effect of sociability on the quality of life for dogs. Researchers say dogs benefit from having social support around, in the form of people and dogs. One surprise finding showed more time with children was linked to poorer dog health. The pack is the thing: Dogs with positive social interactions live healthier … [Read more...]
Pet food labeling. Who has the consumer’s ear?
Communication of pet food ingredients on labels is becoming more complex and marketing and regulatory pros must work together. It is much easier to communicate ingredient stories than nutrition and health when marketing pet food. Words matter and extra words add to the confusion, explains George Collings, PhD. If the goal in labeling is to help the consumer, all of us are … [Read more...]
Tips for cleaning cat messes and accidents
Cat Expert Franny Syufy shares some ways to deal with pee, poop, stains, vomit and more. Consider using this on social media or in newsletters. When cats suddenly start making mistakes, it's up to us humans to investigate and correct the cause.” Source: The Spruce Pets, June 2011, Link. … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – May 29, 2023
Walmart, Pawp offer free telehealth, recognizing email scams, how AI is transforming pet care industry, hotels ready for traveling dogs, AI tips for small business, measuring ROI of onboarding, responsible use guide for cannabis and CBD and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, May 29, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
3 work red flags that mean it’s time to quit
Christina Gnozzo shares three red flags to identify and avoid so that you do not find yourself in situations that are not aligned with your professional (and personal) purpose, values, or goals: You don’t feel valued You’re tired all the time You’re not learning anything new Source: Fast Company, February 10, 2023. Link. Feelings that a given job is the right fit … [Read more...]
Regular health visits linked to life expectancy in women
Multiple factors are associated with achieving better health outcomes. Hologic and Gallup’s global survey findings reinforce how women worldwide can benefit from going to healthcare professionals. When countries prioritize women’s access to care and treatment, they perform better on women’s health metrics. The benefits of regular healthcare visits are threefold: Going … [Read more...]
New graduates want salary range, transparency from employers
While the Class of 2023 is anxious and eager to land a job, Laura Coccaro, CPO, details some ways in which they’re rewriting the expectations of employers and what they want in their careers. Source: Human Resource Executive, May 25, 2023. Link. By representing an investment into their personal lives outside of work, employers have the ability to offer a certain value to … [Read more...]
National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility holds ribbon-cutting ceremony (video)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Homeland Security, Science and Technology Directorate dedicated the long-anticipated National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility on May 24th. This new 48-acre facility at the northern edge of the Kansas State University campus will be one of the top laboratories in the world to study and diagnose animal diseases. The … [Read more...]
The June deadline is here!
More than 100 products will no longer be labeled OTC after June 11. They will then require a prescription from a licensed veterinarian. The majority are labeled for use in food animals. Sixteen are labeled for food and companion animals, and two are specific to companion animals, according to the FDA. The FDA states that "veterinarians are generally not required to examine … [Read more...]
Feeding behavior during the first week in the feedlot
Studies have shown preconditioning weaned calves results in less morbidity and mortality, improves post-weaning performance and higher carcass quality versus ranch and auction-derived calves. However, there is limited research assessing the impacts of commingling preconditioned and auction-derived calves at the feedlot and if the proportions of preconditioned to auction-derived … [Read more...]
Goats can help control eastern red cedar invasion
Nebraska farmer Mike Wallace sent families of goats to pasture with his herd of cows and sheep and found the goats help control invasive cedar trees economically. The average goat will consume as much as 20 percent of its diet as cedar trees. Eastern red cedar, Juniperus virginiana, is a native invasive species of tree that causes problems on rangeland and in pastures. Grass … [Read more...]
Best chickens for kids
Some chicken breeds are easier to handle, have calmer personalities and enjoy human company more than others. The author recommends these five breeds: Silkies, Mille Fleurs, Cochin Bantams, Frizzles and Easter Egger Bantams. Source: Backyard Poultry, February 13, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Gut microbiome disruption evident in cats with chronic rhinitis
Researchers studying cats suffering from chronic upper respiratory infections were surprised to find significant differences in the nasal and gut microbiomes between ill cats and their healthy housemates. Feline upper respiratory tract disease affects thousands of cats each year and is a leading cause of euthanasia in vulnerable populations found in group housing situations, … [Read more...]
Stress has a smell and dogs can detect it
A study has shown dogs can detect stress hormones in sweat and breath samples and differentiate those from baseline samples. The research highlights that dogs do not need visual or audio cues to pick up on human stress. The findings show that we, as humans, produce different smells through our sweat and breath when we are stressed and dogs can tell this apart from our smell … [Read more...]
Veterinarians advise pet owners about rare fungal infection that can affect pets (video)
“Blastomycosis is a fungal organism that animals can pick up from humus-type soil. So, riverbeds, lakes, streams, and swamp areas are very common areas that they can get exposed to it,” shared Edward Brauer II, DVM. He advises pet owners to avoid wet, swampy areas when walking their pets as the weather gets warmer. Source: WMTV Madison, May 6, 2023. Link. The organism is … [Read more...]
Correcting misconceptions about allergy testing in cats
There’s no simple test for figuring out what substance(s) a cat is allergic to and then treating from there. Ramón Almela, DVM, says diagnosing an allergy is often an indirect process that requires time and patience. Blood test or skin prick test? Neither.” Source: Tuft’s Catnip, March 22, 2023. Link. Almela outlines the three treatment options currently available for cats … [Read more...]
Stop wasting money on biodegradable dog poop bags
Includes Commercial References Picture this, writes Kristin Hostetter: one thousand football fields lined up in a row, each one filled with dog feces a foot deep. It’s not a pleasant thought, but that’s how much waste our canine pets create each year in the U.S. Painting a disturbing picture of dog excrement as a waste dilemma, she shares various choices and shares her … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – May 22, 2023
Pet tech hardware as positive disruption, pet inflation update, dog anxiety, automating financial processes, companion animal nutrition research, new ingredient launches to to address metabolic health, natural product preservation and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, May 22, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Set these 5 boundaries before you go on vacation
Research and commentary dating back to the 1910s shows that taking vacations, i.e. completely disconnecting from work, is critical to lowering burnout, increasing energy and engagement, and improving overall health and well-being. The results lead to more consistent productivity, writes Marlo Lyons. Easier said than done, Lyons shares five tips to set firm boundaries in a … [Read more...]
How to talk to your team about their career development
Inherent in a leadership role is the responsibility to help your team members determine their career goals, grow within your organization and continue to feel engaged at work. It is important to talk about development early as lack of career development is among the top reasons individuals leave their current positions. Career development conversations between managers and … [Read more...]
Pay transparency laws: What small businesses need to know
Eight states have adopted pay transparency laws, writes Olivia Chen. Employer requirements vary based on number of employees in those states. As it currently stands, companies subject to pay transparency laws must post a "good faith" salary range, meaning a range that they reasonably expect they will pay for the role. However, that can still be negotiated in either direction … [Read more...]
Nine states have more cows than people
May is National Beef Month. As of January 1, 2023 there were 91.9 million head of cattle and calves on farms in the United States according to the USDA. In Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wyoming cows are more numerous than people. There is one cow for every 3.6 people in the U.S.” Source: Beef2Live, April 16, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Lab-grown meat could be 25 times worse for the climate than beef
Lab-grown or “cultivated” meat produced from cultured cells could be 25 times worse for the climate than regular beef unless scientists find ways to overhaul energy-intensive steps in its production. Source: New Scientist, May 9, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Communal wound licking documented in a hoofed mammal for the first time
American bison have been observed licking each other’s wounds, a stress-reducing behavior not documented in a hoofed mammal until now. While female bison have been observed grooming unrelated calves, reports of animals licking the wounds of others have largely been limited to captive rats and wild primates, such as chimpanzees. Source: New Scientist, May 6, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Can we keep roosters together as chicks grow up?
Citing her own experiences, Jennifer Sartell shares ways to deal with the likelihood of more than one rooster as Easter chicks mature. Reminding us that chickens will be chickens and there is no hard and fast rule, she offers ways to keep the boys happy without having to get rid of the extra roosters. . . . if you’re keeping roosters, have options handy.” Source: Backyard … [Read more...]
Battling the equine sarcoid
Sarcoids are the most common tumor in equids worldwide. However, no perfect treatment exists, writes Elizabeth Collar, DVM, PhD, DACVS-LA. She reviews possible treatment options for the wide range of variables that are present with each tumor. The article includes pictures that demonstrate tumors, treatments and treatment complications. Source: DVM 360, May 2023. Link. … [Read more...]