Once raccoons choose to get into poultry coops, homes or buildings, they are indomitable. They are considered super-predators if they break into poultry enclosures or discover birds free-ranging. Erin Snyder shares ways to keep raccoons from becoming a problem. Source: Hobby Farms, December 13, 2023. Link. INSIGHTS: Synder’s article is worthy of sharing on social media or … [Read more...]
Pathologist sees shift in causes of California racehorse fatalities
Francisco A. Uzal, MS, DVM, PhD, is in charge of the necropsy program at the University of California, which examines any horse that dies on a state-sanctioned racetrack. He believes various state- and track-level reforms, as well as the increased availability of high-tech imaging modalities, has allowed officials and trainers to intervene before a horse suffers an orthopedic … [Read more...]
Mutt mail. Subscription boxes for dogs
Complimentary Commercial Content The number of pet subscription boxes filled with items curated by pet loving marketers continues to grow. The Happy Puppy Tips team shares a few options in this article. Our AHD office dog, Li’l Buddy, is a benefactor of a family member who subscribes to one of these services for their Golden Retriever. A new toy or two comes home after every … [Read more...]
Marijuana is among the 2023 Top 10 pet toxins
Marijuana and carprofen were again among the Top 10 Pet Poisons for all species this year. They first appeared on the annual year-end list in 2022. In the 2023 case data, marijuana-related incidences accounted for the sixth-highest toxin overall for pets and was also sixth for dogs. The article includes the top 10 for cats and dogs. Chocolate was first for dogs and lilies was … [Read more...]
NOMVision December edition
ICYMI. The dedicated work continues to advance a veterinary profession that honors and elevates sustainable well-being. NOTE the request to participate in an online research study <Link>. Source: NOMV, December 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Dr. Kwane Stewart honored as 2023 CNN Hero
Kwane Stewart, DVM, was named 2023 CNN Hero of the Year last week during the 17th annual CNN Heroes Event that took place at New York City’s Museum of Natural History. The California veterinarian and Colorado State University graduate started serving unhoused people and their pets more than a decade ago. With the help of his brother, they founded Project Street Vet, a … [Read more...]
2023 was a record year for Global Alliance for Rabies Control
Rabies surveillance and prevention is everyone’s job. World Rabies Day 2023 was the most impactful event to date. The GARC hopes to build on the participation success and move closer to eliminating rabies deaths in humans by 2030. The widespread participation in World Rabies Day 2023 is a testament to the growing global awareness surrounding rabies prevention and … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – December 11, 2023
Fromm family’s Danielle Opetz, Pet care accessibility, longevity drugs to extend dog lives, small business insurance, APPA’s acquisition of online education and conferencing platform, small business sales trends and more . . . Resources to remember: IBPSA Infectious Disease Cleaning Standards Thrive Master Group for facility owners and general managers via Zoom, … [Read more...]
Winter manure regulations in effect
Not all states have the same regulations. Some states ban winter manure spreading outright, while others allow it under certain conditions. Chris Torres and Jennifer Kiel share regulations by state governing when manure can be spread. Source: American Agriculturist, December 11, 2023. Link. INSIGHTS: Equine, backyard poultry and livestock hobbyists may not be aware of … [Read more...]
Terms from the poultry farming glossary
There’s a flock of terms used when describing birds on poultry farms. Elsbeth Upton offers a glossary to help us keep the keets, poults, peachicks, cygnets and squabs properly assigned to the right birds. Source: Backyard Poultry, April 2020. Link. INSIGHTS: Last week’s post about variations in peafowl garnered a lot of views <Link>. … [Read more...]
Tips for socializing dogs with other dogs
Holiday gatherings can be challenging, but adding pets to the mix can be an ordeal, especially if socialization training has been ignored. Cammi Morgan shares tips to help pet owners realize their responsibility to properly socialize their dogs. She includes comments about puppy age, vaccination, dog park safety and approaches for undersocialized dogs. Be realistic . . . dogs … [Read more...]
Which U.S. pet owners spent the most on pet food in 2022?
Baby boomer pet owners spent the most on pet food, but Gen X was close behind, and their level of pet food spending rose the most from 2021 to 2022. Source: PETFOODIndustry, December 6, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Altering a colleague’s treatment plan without judgment is an art (podcast/video)
Alyssa Watson, DVM, and Beth Molleson, DVM, discuss the often delicate subject of altering long-term treatments or medications for patients without implying previous approaches weren’t consistent with the current evaluation. . . . re-evaluating a pet's treatment plan requires tact and consideration for the client and the owner . . .” Source: Clinician’s Brief, Veterinary … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – December 7, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, November 30, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from the November 30th AHD Bulletin – Washers and dryers require more frequent cleaning than you think. Link. Be curious. Link. What scents are dangerous to cats and dogs? Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy … [Read more...]
Pros, cons of using darts in cattle management
While pneumatic darts can be helpful in some settings, Rhonda Brooks’ article shares the reasons why darts are not chosen by producers or veterinarians. She provides a good review of dart use, benefits and risks worthy of review by animal health pros and their clients. Source: Drovers, November 30, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Peafowl varieties easily confused
George and Sonja Conner share information to explain all the varieties in peafowl in a modern context. The two main peafowl origins are derived from the green peafowl (Pavo muticus) and the India blue peafowl (Pavo cristatus). While there are many phenotypes today, all of the known color and pattern mutations have been from Pavo cristatus which include cross breeding with green … [Read more...]
One third of dogs have a behavior issue, study shows
Zazie Todd, PhD, shares results from a Danish study suggesting we need to pay more attention to behavior issues in dogs. The most common issues were related to fear and disobedience, which included jumping up, barking and not coming when called. Aggression was reported less often in this study than in other studies and was typified by actions toward other dogs, not … [Read more...]
Reducing environmental ‘paw print’ aim of new recycling program
VetCycle, a national recycling program designed by TerraCycle, provides disposal of personal protective equipment, plastic food packaging and pet products waste items commonly found in veterinary practices, animal shelters and labs. VetCycle uses the Zero Waste Box program to recycle the most common waste streams found in veterinary and animal care settings. Most pet products … [Read more...]
Collars remain crucial for dogs and cats
Carly Fox, DVM, offers good advice on the importance of collars and collar identification. Pet parents might believe that with the prevalence of microchips, their animals don’t need a collar but animals that wear them are typically perceived as being owned. Information on the collar makes contacting the owner easier than finding someone to read a chip. Source: Inverse, via … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – December 4, 2023
Rover purchased by Blackstone, pet brain surgery may be an area of development, mind mapping, Veterinarians without Borders expands brand to include North America, actress Linda Blair’s efforts to save dogs, customer lifecycle automation, separation anxiety in pets and people, Purina’s grants for more human-animal bond research and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, … [Read more...]
KPI alphabet soup: Defining acronyms of high-performance dairies
Chad Jenkins and Mark Hodge share key performance indicators as a quick gauge and to provide clarity to a plethora of dairy data. Acronyms often add to the confusion along with some of the mathematics when talking with dairy producers. Four KPIs that have considerable impact on dairy productivity and profitability are income over feed cost, dollars per pound of dry matter, … [Read more...]
Essential upgrades for lackluster cattle-handling facilities as winter threatens
Bruce Derksen shares the importance of keeping cattle handling facilities in the best condition as winter settles in. He identifies the most important areas for producers to focus their attention. The article is a good reminder to share with producers, especially those who always seem to wait until the veterinarian arrives to realize they aren’t prepared to easily handle … [Read more...]
How old is too old to breed a mare?
Most broodmares are generally past their reproductive prime as they approach about 15 or 16 years old, writes Anna O'Brien, DVM, answering a horse owner’s question about a 20-year-old mare. She explains a variety of considerations beyond the mare’s health. The best thing to do to properly evaluate the mare’s reproductive health and capacity is have your veterinarian perform a … [Read more...]
Nose twitches versus ear twitches – different impacts and welfare considerations
Twitching is used to help subdue horses and avoid using drugs. Twitching the upper lip causes endorphins that kick in as soon as the twitch is activated and subside once the twitch is removed without any sedative effect. An alternative method involves twitching the ear which likely involves fear or stress compared to lip twitching. … the use of a nose twitch could be … [Read more...]
What scents are dangerous to cats and dogs?
Includes Commercial Content Many pet owners are not aware that some scents are toxic to animals until after a disturbing trip to the vet with an ill pet. Pets can become sick from essential oils due to compounds called phenols that are easily absorbed through the skin, nose and mouth. Toxic scents and essential oils to avoid include tea tree, clove, citrus, cinnamon, … [Read more...]
Reasons why cats eat grass
Eating grass is a common behavior in cats and doesn’t mean they are sick, writes Jamie Lovejoy, DVM. She shares some science-based theories held by veterinary professionals as to why cats eat grass. Owners can also buy cat grass, Lovejoy notes. Source: Pet MD, November 3, 2023. Link. Also see: How and why to grow cat grass, Rover. Link. Many retailers now offer cat grass … [Read more...]
Dogs can tell if you’re bad or good (video)
An investigation by Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews found dogs can separate a decent individual from a not-very-great person. This includes dogs avoiding another person who treats its owner poorly. The study illustrated that dogs do not always act only in their self-interest.” Source: The Irfo, May 31, 2019. Link. INSIGHTS: Consider this video for social media or … [Read more...]
Mystery canine respiratory virus has growing footprint
Eleven states have now reported a mystery respiratory illness in dogs <Link>. The mysterious illness was described as an atypical canine infectious respiratory disease that presents similar to kennel cough, but doesn’t respond to normal medication. Plus, the cough lasts longer than the normal seven to 10 days. Source: CNN, November 28, 2023. Link. At least two-hundred … [Read more...]
Washers and dryers require more frequent cleaning than you think
Washers and dryers often run daily in veterinary clinics and pet services facilities. The washer cleans clothes every time you run a load but it is not cleaning itself and dryers need more than the lint trap cleaned with every load. Cynthia Barnes shares methods for cleaning these important machines we use at home and at work. Source: Better Report, November 8, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Holiday gift ideas for pets and professionals
Julia Burke shares ideas and favored items in the pet industry to add to your holiday shopping list from several categories, including health and wellness items. Source: DVM 360, November 24, 2023. Link. Also see: Choosing safe dog toys, AHD, December 21, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]