Discovering a few wild birds carrying highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza highlights that the interface between animals and humans that may give rise to zoonotic infections or even pandemics is not limited to rural environments and commercial poultry operations. It extends into urban centers, according to the American Society of Microbiology. Source: Infectious Disease … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – May 16, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, May 9, 2024. Link. Most read post(s) from the May 9th AHD Bulletin – Advances in equine disease detection. Link. Differentiating mastitis from teat sealant residue at freshening. Link. Temple Grandin, PhD, joins Fear Free as director, animal well-being. Link. … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club seeking nominees for Bright Minds award in U.K and Singapore
Announcing the inaugural Bright Minds Singapore award and its second annual Bright Minds U.K. Award The Bridge Club is seeking nominees in three categories: Industry Influencer Practice Game Changer Wellness Champion Source: The Bridge Club, May 15, 2024. Link. Since the inaugural Bright Minds Awards in 2018 more than 16 professionals and organizations have been … [Read more...]
Seats still available for hands-on Veterinary CE at the NAVC Institute
Space is available in Strategic Leadership, Orthopedic Surgery, Ultrasound Intermediate, and Advanced and General Ophthalmology during the May 20-24, 2024 NAVC Institute in Orlando, Florida at The Caribe Royale Resort. Small class sizes allow for immersive, personalized instruction. Source: NAVC. Link. The hands-on training and skills veterinarians and veterinary … [Read more...]
CDC finalizes dog import rule to prevent rabies
All dogs coming into the U.S. from other countries must be at least six months old and microchipped to help prevent the spread of rabies, according to new government rules. The updated rules apply to dogs brought in by breeders or rescue groups, as well as pets traveling with their U.S. owners. All dogs coming into the U.S. from other countries must be at least six months … [Read more...]
U.S. to spend $200M on bird flu fight, including dairy farm compensation
The USDA is providing a range of financial incentives to help increase biosecurity and cover veterinary fees plus costs associated with sample collecting and testing. Source: Agriculture Dive, May 13, 2024. Link. Producers can receive compensation for implementing effective biosecurity plans and establishing heat treatment systems to safely dispose of milk. … [Read more...]
Wildfire smoke is back
Dozens of wildfires are burning across Canada in May 2024 and sending unhealthy smoke blowing into the northern U.S. again. At the same time, the southeastern U.S. is getting smoke from Mexico, where drought conditions have been fueling fires. Think of smoke waves like heat waves. They’re easier to face if you’re prepared and know they’re coming. That means paying attention to … [Read more...]
2024 Global Hog Industry Virtual Conference set for May 22nd
National Hog Farmer's sixth annual Global Hog Industry Virtual Conference is scheduled for May 22 10:00 a.m. CDT. Topic themes will focus on policy, performance and profitability. New to this year’s conference is The National Hog Farmers' New Product Tour competition. Register here for this FREE educational event and to interact with the speakers on event day <Link>. … [Read more...]
Farm dogs play many roles
The celebration of farm dogs in recent years <Link> has brought more focus to the health of pets on acreages and farms. Whether working dogs or companions, these animals encounter environmental risks from domestic and wild animals, some of which are One Health concerns. This recording and article feature farm dogs and the importance of getting regular veterinary care for … [Read more...]
Research explores nutrition paradox between pet parent intentions, realities
Includes Commercial Content The results of a research survey found a major discrepancy between what dog owners believe to be beneficial for their pets and the actual practices they implement, especially when it comes to nutrition. Despite high confidence in supporting their dogs' health, there's a significant gap between perception and reality, including a lack of … [Read more...]
Watch out for foxtail (video)
Foxtails are everywhere in the environment <Link>. Pet owners need to take preventive steps to minimize the risks to their pets. Once on the cat or dog, a segment of a foxtail can burrow into the skin, get stuck in the eyes, creep into ears, be inhaled into the nose or even make its way into the lungs. Source: The Conversation, May 9, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: Consider … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – May 13, 2024
Keys to success for pet stores, VMG’s new dashboard, where cannabis is working, poverty and pets, another celebrity brand, advertising in 2024 and more . . . Approximately 20 million pets in the U.S. experience poverty with their families and 70 percent have never seen a veterinarian.” – Harris Poll survey Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, May 13, 2024. Link. Recently updated IBPSA … [Read more...]
AAHA hosting free mentorship workshop for veterinary professionals
Focusing on mentorship, this FREE workshop is open to all practices, including those not accredited by AAHA. Join industry experts James Desir, DVM, and Alyssa Mages, CVT, for this workshop designed to empower veterinarians, CrVTs, veterinary assistants, CSRs, practice managers and anyone committed to fostering a positive, inclusive and supportive culture within their … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – May 9, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, May 2, 2024. Link. Most read post(s) from the May 2nd AHD Bulletin – Why vet bills are so high. Link. 7 cleaning tips about washing pet toys. Link. AHD’s archives offer a quick way to see posts by month, see what you missed. Archives for April 2024. … [Read more...]
Seek Labs announces progress targeting the African Swine Fever Virus
The successful completion of an in vivo therapeutic trial using innovative CRISPR-based technologies to target the African swine fever virus in pigs demonstrated pigs infected with ASFV and treated with Seek Labs’ CRISPR-based systems survived longer than untreated infected pigs. Over half of the CRISPR-treated pigs survived beyond the duration of the trial. Source: … [Read more...]
First of its kind veterinary of record program seeks to improve access to care
Shelters United is a group purchasing organization that allows animal welfare groups to purchase animal care supplies and products at discounted prices. Rescue organizations rely on a veterinarian of record to provide care for pets awaiting adoption and to purchase necessary prescription medications. Since no VOR model exists to help veterinarians and rescue organizations … [Read more...]
Temple Grandin, PhD, joins Fear Free as director, animal well-being
In her new role, Dr. Grandin will focus on developing innovative strategies to improve the well-being of animals to ensure lives worth living. She will begin her focus on how to bring Fear Free to farm animals. I'm especially excited about plans to give animals used for food and fiber what's being called 'a life worth living', where animals get to experience positive, … [Read more...]
Jockey Club plans to launch traceability initiative
The Jockey Club Interactive Registry encourages anyone with a digital certificate of foal registration in their account who no longer has possession of the horse to transfer the certificate to the current owner or appropriate certificate manager. Source: The Paulick Report, may 1, 2024. Link. There is no cost to file a transfer of ownership, and the report can be filed … [Read more...]
6 possible reasons why dogs lift one paw
When a dog lifts its paw it is communicating. The author shares that a raised front paw shows the dog feels conflicted and putting them at ease could make a difference. Lifting one paw can have multiple meanings, but it’s rarely a behavior to ignore.” Source: Dogster, April 12, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: Consider this article for social media, newsletters or use it in puppy … [Read more...]
Top 5 uses for gabapentin in dogs and cats (podcast)
A survey of clinicians found that gabapentin use in veterinary medicine is similar to use in human medicine; 69 percent of respondents indicated they prescribe gabapentin on a daily or weekly basis, most commonly for acute and chronic pain (extra-label). Rebecca Reader, DVM, DACVAA, reviews her top five recommended uses for gabapentin based on mechanism of action and physiology … [Read more...]
Beware the hungry coyotes
With pups growing and hungry, adult coyotes are more aggressively hunting for food now. This article is a good reminder to keep pets safe and be aware even when out walking pets. Those cute little coyote puppies quickly become a ravenous mob that requires more and more food every day. Share local warnings with pet owners. Source: LAist, May 3, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – May 6, 2024
Top pet franchises, focus on dental care, options with smartpay payment processes, study says purebred dogs are not more prone to health problems, National Pet Month study about pet owner spending and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, May 6, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Employees are the biggest security threat
According to the 2024 Data Breach Investigations Report, the number of data breaches last year involving a human element is the same number reported the previous year, 68 percent. The problem hasn’t gotten worse nor has it gotten better. The biggest security weak spots are organic, not digital, writes Dennis Scimeca. Employees present the largest holes in cybersecurity … [Read more...]
Saipan Humane Society completes crucial training program conducted by Banfield Foundation and BluePearl Cares
A LinkedIn post by Kim Van Syoc <Link> alerted us to veterinary work being done on the western Pacific Ocean island of Saipan by the Banfield Foundation and BluePearl Cares in support of the Saipan Humane Society. She shared, “There hasn’t been a veterinary clinic on the U.S. island of Saipan for 10 years.” Source: Saipan Tribune, April 23, 2024. Link. Looking ahead, … [Read more...]
FDA finalizes guidance to provide further clarity on VFD
To assist stakeholders involved with veterinary feed directives – veterinarians, VFD feed distributors (medicated feed mills, feed retailers) and clients (owners or other caretakers of the animals) the FDA has finalized Guidance for Industry (GFI) #120: Veterinary Feed Directive Regulation Questions and Answers. While the core recommendations in final GFI #120 remain the same … [Read more...]
Phibro Animal Health to acquire Zoetis medicated feed additive portfolio
Zoetis Inc. and Phibro Animal Health Corporation announced they have entered into a definitive agreement where Phibro Animal Health will acquire Zoetis’ medicated feed additive product portfolio, certain water-soluble products and related assets. Source: Feedstuffs, April 29, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Growing concerns about fescue toxicosis in the dairy industry
Producers who use fescue in grazing pastures have growing concerns about the impact of fescue toxicosis on milk production, writes Carmen Burner. Tall fescue, a perennial grass, is found in 15 states. It is grown for benefits such as drought tolerance and resistance to various insects, viruses and fungal diseases. A fungal endophyte Neotyphodium coenophialum found in about … [Read more...]
7 cleaning tips about washing pet toys
Even though a dog’s toys may look clean to the naked eye, one cannot know what’s lurking on them, writes Lavanya Sunkara. She offers tips for cleaning dog toys to keep them from becoming health hazards. For rope, cloth or plush toys, she recommends washing weekly or bi-weekly, depending on how many dogs are playing with them and how they are being used. Source: Great Pet … [Read more...]
World Pork Expo registration is now open
The National Pork Producers Council is set to welcome the global swine community at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines on June 5th and 6th. They are packing a lot of activities into the two-day event; food, fun, show pig contests, education and the latest advances showcased in the trade show. Source: NPPC. Link. Register here <Link>. … [Read more...]
Utahns reunited with pet cat they accidentally shipped with Amazon return
A cat may have used a couple of its nine lives when it was accidentally shipped with an Amazon return from Utah to California. A Utah couple got the surprise of their life when they got a call that their missing cat was found in Los Angeles. Source: KSL TV, April 24, 2024. Link. The incident reinforces the importance of microchipping pets.” … [Read more...]