The U.S. Department of Agriculture has begun scattering millions of packets of oral rabies vaccine from helicopters and planes over 13 states from Maine to Alabama. The major aim is to keep raccoons from spreading their strain of the deadly virus to states where it hasn’t been found or isn’t widespread.” - Jordona Kirby. Source: Associated Press, August 26, 2022. … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – August 29, 2022
Benefits and care in pet condos, pet inflation 2022 over 2021, marketing plus ecommerce in the pet market, monkey pox, business scams and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, August 29, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
The latest VIP Podcasts. Listening, learning from industry leaders and innovators
Complimentary Content Ivan “Zak” Zakharenkov, DVM, and Shawn Wilkie have produced 34 podcasts this year. Their discussions with industry leaders and innovators cover some of the challenges they’re facing and how to address them. The podcasts are easily accessed on the VIP website. Source: Veterinary Innovation Podcast. Link. … [Read more...]
Dechra Pharmaceuticals acquires Med-Pharmex
Dechra Pharmaceuticals (LSE: DPH) has acquired Med-Pharmex Inc. Med-Pharmex is a leading veterinary pharmaceutical manufacturer based in Pomona, California. The total consideration paid was US$260.0 million on a debt-free and cash-free basis and was subject to normal closing adjustments. Source: NewsnReleases, August 30, 2022. Link. I am delighted that we have completed the … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – August 25, 2022
Last week’s most read post Confronting your biases (video). Link. Last AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, August 18, 2022. Link. =================================== Help bring the dairy farm into the classroom Source: Discover Dairy. Link. The Adopt-a-Cow opportunity for this year closes on September 15th so there’s still time to let … [Read more...]
Planning for winter grazing
Cattle producers across the country are experiencing the end of forage as fall approaches. Whether limited forage is caused by drought or poor rotation, Denise Schwab offer ideas to help extend the grazing season as fall approaches. High feed costs coupled with high fuel costs makes extended grazing options important to consider.” Source: FEED-LOT, August 16, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Goats and chickens may not mix
Rebecca Sanderson shares how keeping goats near chickens could result in a positive Johne’s disease test. She shares the story of Stacy whose sick goat housed close to chickens became ill with a strain in the Mycobacterium avium complex which includes Johne’s disease Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium. Source: Backyard Goats, August 22, 2022. Link. INSIGHTS: Consider … [Read more...]
Ringworm can easily be mistaken for girth gall
Girth gall is commonly associated with dirty tack and poorly groomed horses. But even horses with the cleanest tack get sores. Sometimes these are ringworm, not poor skin care. Despite its name, ringworm is a fungal skin infection that is easily passed from horse to horse on shared equipment. It can also be passed by a rider’s boots, which would rest on the horse just behind … [Read more...]
Those may be tears of joy from your dog
New research from Japanese scientists suggests that a dog’s eyes may well up with tears of happiness when reunited with its owner after a period of absence. Tears in dogs have not been linked with emotion before. We found that dogs shed tears associated with positive emotions . . . oxytocin was discovered as a possible mechanism underlying it . . . “ - Takefumi … [Read more...]
The latest in diagnosis and management of Malassezia dermatitis
Skin conditions are always in the top 10 reasons dogs and cats see a veterinarian. The yeast genus Malassezia is always secondary to another skin disease, writes Paul Bloom, DVM, DACVD, DABVP. He shares his expertise in identifying and treating Malassezia when present with other skin diseases. Source: DVM 360, August 19, 2022. Link. Disorders that affect the barrier … [Read more...]
Unidentified parvo-like virus killing dogs in Michigan
All animal health pros need to be aware of this situation. The unidentified virus affects puppies and older dogs. When the animals are tested by veterinarians, the initial test for parvo is negative. Usually, the dogs die within three to five days. Dogs have been sent to The Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory for necropsy, which did show parvo. The … [Read more...]
Some sugar substitutes affect blood glucose and gut bacteria
In a new study, human participants who consumed sugar substitutes showed an altered microbiome and spikes in blood glucose. However, the effects of the sweeteners on blood glucose are likely highly personalized, Eran Elinav says. But the results suggest these compounds don’t just pass through the body, as some originally thought. Source: Scientific American as seen in AAHA … [Read more...]
Why thinking hard exhausts you and what can be done about it
Should you keep pushing yourself when your mind is telling you to slow down? Scientists believe they’ve found what’s happening in your brain after a hard day of thinking <Link>. What is happening, writes Jason Feifer, is not pretty. It's not an energy problem. It's a brain problem. They are not computers that work forever . . . our minds need a rest.” When our brains … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – August 18, 2022
Last week’s most read posts – 10 years and counting elevating care for cats. Link. Get ready! All livestock antibiotics will be prescription-only in 2023. Link. Changes coming to compounded animal health medication. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, August 11, 2022. Link. =================================== Dog … [Read more...]
Upcoming leadership program for STEM professionals
K-State Olathe is offering a leadership series designed to help attendees improve their management skills. Source: K-State Olathe. Link. Participants will discover their own strengths and communications style, learn conflict resolution skills, understand how to connect with team members across differences, and develop future-focused strategies to achieve lasting results. … [Read more...]
Allen D. Leman Swine Conference slated for September 17-20.
The 2022 Leman Conference will feature sessions covering everything from foreign animal disease and biosecurity to Prop 12 and gene editing for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome. Internationally acclaimed for bringing science-driven solutions to the complex challenges facing the industry, the event garners hundreds of participants from over 20 countries each … [Read more...]
2nd Annual IPVA Summit kicks off ahead of Fetch KC August 25th
Independent veterinarians represent a large portion of the animal health marketplace, are frequently multi-species practices and are supported by the Independent Veterinary Practitioners Association. The association has scheduled a day of learning to help independent veterinary hospital owners and managers improve efficiencies, leverage technology to their advantage and improve … [Read more...]
National Dog Day is August 26
There is still time to promote National Dog Day. The National Today website offers fun facts about dogs and their owners. Source: National Today. Link. Scroll down to see the top 3 Dog Day survey insights. … [Read more...]
National Cat2VetDay is August 22
National Take your Cat to the Vet Day is promoted annually to help remind cat owners of the importance of veterinary care for their felines. Support the AAFP’s Cat Friendly Homes efforts by sharing #Cat2VetDay on social media, in newsletters and client communications. Also consider an interview or article with local media. Source: Cat Friendly Homes, August 11, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Prussic acid toxicity risk, a problem in drought areas, after rains
Clark Roberts shares the importance of keeping an eye on cattle that graze where Johnsongrass is present, due to the risk of prussic acid toxicity. Anything that physically stresses Johnsongrass, such as drought in summer or freezing in the fall, can increase the amount of prussic acid in this invasive forage plant. Secondly, with rain after drought, or warm temperatures after … [Read more...]
Forget a rooster rescue, create a bachelor pad instead
Backyard poultry raisers often find themselves with too many roosters. The ideal ratio of roosters to hens is one rooster to 10 hens. Too many roosters can create havoc in a flock. Chris Thompson shares alternatives to rooster culling, rehoming or relinquishing excess roosters to a rescue. He writes about separate housing for roosters noting sequestering birds in a bachelor … [Read more...]
Ultrasound screening shows potential for early bucked shin diagnoses
Tiny stress fractures and new bone formations occur in racehorses’ legs as they enter training at about two years old. This condition, called bucked shin, occurs in about 70 percent of the animals, leading to pain and delays in training schedules. Japanese researchers developed a method to screen for bucked shin using ultrasound instead of traditionally disruptive X-ray … [Read more...]
Don’t forget to check the chip
Check the Chip Day was celebrated August 15th. By encouraging clients to have their pets microchipped, veterinary hospitals can improve the odds that a pet that goes missing while in their care will be found. . . . regularly updating contact information on the pet’s microchip is almost as important as implanting the chip itself.” Source: AAHA NEWStat, August 11, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
The three most common and preventable canine maladies
With simple observation and proactive management, dog owners can prevent the three conditions that most frequently compromise dogs' quality of life, writes Nancy Kerns. She says many dogs will suffer from one of these common disorders: Obesity Dental disease Over-long nails Source: Whole Dog Journal, August 9, 2022. Link. INSIGHTS: Note the cutlines under the … [Read more...]
Living with the Budweiser Clydesdales
Warm Springs Ranch sits just off Interstate 70 halfway between Kansas City and St Louis, Missouri. Amy Trout manages the ranch home where most of the Budweiser Clydesdales live. She shared what her job is like overseeing the horses' care and breeding with Insider’s Asonta Benetti. If you’ve not toured the Clydesdales’ home, it is worth the trip! Budweiser has been using … [Read more...]
Cave explorers rescue lost dog from 500 feet underground
Comments: How Abby the dog was rescued will put a smile on your face that lasts all day. The photos alone are worth a look. A long-lost dog awaited Gerry Keene when he was 500 feet underground exploring caves near Perryville, Missouri, recently. The dog was skinny with matted fur and was curled up on a rock slab, too weak to even whimper. Keene knew he had to save her and … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – August 15, 2022
Home Again celebrates 3 million lost pets being reunited, Hands2Paws app aims to match owners with their perfect dog breed, pet app engagement jumps 73 percent over previous year, Pets at Home sees omnichannel and subscription sales rise, Chewy expands insurance offering with launch of CarePlus and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, August 15, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Free webinar: Secrets for optimizing inventory and reducing inventory costs
Complimentary Commercial Content Inventory is one of the top expenses in veterinary medicine. Managed and replenished frequently it is an asset. Manage it poorly and it becomes a liability.” – Kirk Augustine Veterinary Care Logistics’ founder Nicole Clausen is ready to share some secrets for optimizing veterinary hospital inventory and reducing inventory costs. She’ll … [Read more...]
Seasonality and geography of diabetes mellitus in dogs
Sharing key points from a published research study involving nearly 1,000 dogs with diabetes mellitus, Vet Candy highlighted: Dogs were diagnosed with DM significantly more in the winter and northern USA compared to all other seasons and all other geographic regions, respectively. The prevalence of juvenile onset among dogs with DM was 2.8%. The proportion of dogs … [Read more...]
Tear stains, eye boogers and gunk
Allergies, infections, hairs, blocked tear ducts and yeast are reasons dogs eyes can get gunky or stained. The author explains the reddish stains are caused by iron released from the breakdown of red blood cells which becomes part of a pigment-containing molecule called porphyrin. Porphyrin is in dogs’ tears and causes the actual staining. The author shares a few tips to … [Read more...]