Edward Busuttil DVM CertAVP, PgCertVPS, MRCVS, shares a basic understanding of the composition of the horse hoof wall to explain its response to hydration in this nicely illustrated article. He discusses how the mechanical properties of the hoof are directly affected by high moisture content. Source: theequinedocumentalist, January 11, 2023. Link. Studies have shown us that … [Read more...]
Enforcement of anti-doping medication control to begin March 27, 2023
The Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit that serves as the enforcement agency for the Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program submitted doping rules to the FTC which were published in the Federal Registry on January 26. The rules are available for public comment on the Federal Register through February 9th. Source: BLOODHORSE, January 30, 2023. Link. Under the … [Read more...]
Is catnip safe for cats?
Cat owners often wonder if catnip is safe for cats given they often appear to be high or drugged. Catnip is non-toxic to cats, even when ingested, writes Jenna Stregowski, RVT. She shares: The euphoric effects of catnip typically last up to about 15 minutes and are harmless. Catnip is not addictive and there is no evidence of long-term effects. Nepetalactone in … [Read more...]
OSHA 300A Summaries should be completed and posted by February 1, 2023
Employers with more than 10 employees are required to complete OSHA Form 300A Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses for 2022 by Feb. 1, 2023, and to post it and keep it posted until April 30, 2023. The 300A log summarizes work-related injuries and illnesses employees experienced during the prior year. Source: JDSUPRA, January 23, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
IBPSA FastBites – January 30, 2023
Dog walkers making $100K, pet segment ecommerce growth projection, an interview with a DVM social worker, a five-year vision on reworking the pet well-being industry and more . . . Source: IBPSA FastBites, January 30, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
How to stop overthinking when you’re about to spiral
Overthinking is a negative habit that anyone can fall into, yet some people are more prone to it than others. Renee Cherry shares tools to shift an overthinker’s mind away from rumination and its negative potential on health and daily relationships. Source: SHAPE, January 25, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – January 26, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, January 19, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from January 19th AHD Bulletin – Important small talk. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy Vets. Link. MWI Animal Health’s Steve Shell clarifies announcement of AB name change Source: AmericsourceBergen MWI Animal Health, … [Read more...]
Bigger is not always better
A high rate of piglet mortality is a consequence of selecting for sows that have large litters. New research will focus on breeding for survival until weaning and survivability to slaughter. Source: The Pig Site, January 18, 2023. Link. The negative side effects of sows giving birth to large litters, often with more piglets than productive teats, means that managerial … [Read more...]
Study investigates frozen versus cooled semen in horses
A small study presented at the annual British Equine Veterinary Association Congress addressed the viability of frozen, thawed versus fresh, cooled semen used for breeding horses. The team also revealed some discrepancies in what is being used given collection and shipping time realities. While not all semen from stallions is freezable, the real-world conditions study showed … [Read more...]
Rethinking how we keep horses in stalls
Although most horses accept and adapt to less-than-optimal living situations, the evidence is mounting that it’s time to redesign the basic box stall says Nancy Moffitt. She summarizes research on how confinement affects the well-being of horses. . . . box stalls that may seem cozy and comfortable to us are <likely> wrong for our beloved horses . . . too small and too … [Read more...]
Assessment of acute pain in cats using the Feline Grimace Scale
Cat owners and animal health pros can use the new Feline Grimace Scale© to evaluate acute pain in cats. This tool will help create pain awareness and potentially improve feline health and welfare. A study verifying its effectiveness was completed in collaboration with International Cat Care and sponsored by Zoetis. Source: Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, January 17, … [Read more...]
Dogs may benefit from shoes during weather extremes
Dog shoes can protect dogs’ feet during weather extremes. Proper sizing is important as well as a break-in period to avoid chafing. Wearing shoes does change a dog’s ground reaction forces and pressure distribution. Source: Whole Dog Journal, January 17, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
“Pets Age Faster Than People” facility poster available
Complimentary Commercial Content The importance of preventive health care exams is the core message of this new poster from the AVMA. The poster shows age in cats and dogs and correlates those ages to human years. Source: AVMA Animal Health SmartBrief, January 20, 2023. Link. Download the poster free as a PDF in a 8.5"x11" format or purchase the 18” x 24” poster … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – January 23, 2023
Street vet caring for skid-row pets, PAWS NY short film highlights mental health benefits of pets, avoiding destructive criticism, adapting and growing during recession periods and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, January 23, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Animal Health International’s online resource site for GFI 263
Complimentary Content AHI’s new online resource center seeks to help animal health professionals prepare for the upcoming OTC to Rx transition, also known as GFI 263. It contains a robust FAQ section, a condensed timeline of the history of FDA action on antimicrobial resistance, a list of manufacturer products designated for prescription labeling and more. Source: Animal … [Read more...]
Cultivating veterinarian and producer relationships, the veterinarians’ perspective
Surveying a large group of rural, large animal veterinarians about what makes a great relationship between a veterinarian and livestock owner, Meredyth Jones, DVM, MS, DACVIM, found 10 common themes worth noting. Consider sharing this article and list with producer customers. It will strengthen expectations and the veterinary-client relationship and benefit the animals.” – AHD … [Read more...]
Getting goosey
Gail Damerow shares 10 reasons to consider raising and keeping backyard geese. Easy keepers with big eggs, geese are relatively disease-free and are extremely hardy. Long-lived, geese are intelligent and make good watchdogs as well. Source: Backyard Poultry, July 9, 2022. Link. As referenced in article: Raising healthy geese, Timber Creek Farm. Link. (commercial site) … [Read more...]
High priced eggs could make incubators more popular
About 40 million egg-laying hens were lost to avian flu disruptions <Link> in 2022 and the layer population won’t recover overnight. The growth in popularity of backyard flocks may continue to grow as consumers seek to reduce the costs of eggs. Egg prices at the grocery store were elevated throughout 2022 due to outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) among … [Read more...]
AAEP Commission for Equine Veterinary Sustainability created (video)
The AAEP has formed the AAEP Commission on Equine Veterinary Sustainability as part of a campaign to transform and sustain equine practice intended to reverse downward trends. The Commission will develop, oversee and assist with the execution of programs designed to increase the sustainability of equine practice for the betterment of the equine veterinarian and the welfare … [Read more...]
20 winning photos from the 2022 Dog of the Year Awards
Take a few minutes to smile and look at the antics of our canine friends in these 20 great photos. Each one is bound to make you feel good. Source: The Modern Met, January 12, 2023. Link. From high-action shots to dogs at work to pensive portraits, the winning photographs are a tribute to these special animals. … [Read more...]
Dogs’ social lives and disease risks – Tips for canine and human safety
Dog parks, doggie day cares, boarding, competitions, retail stores and training classes all create environments where dogs with varied and unknown health histories interact. These situations create risk for dogs and owners alike. Consider these resources from the AVMA for social media and newsletters to help inform pet owners. Source: AVMA. Link. … [Read more...]
Pet wearable market to grow to $6.88 B by 2030
Pet owners’ concern for their pets’ welfare is boosting pet wearables market growth opportunities, according to Grand View Research. Despite being in its infancy, the pet wearable industry growth is evolving with the spread of artificial intelligence, rising internet usage and the creation of low-cost sensors, smartphone applications, GPS and other technologies. Source: Pet … [Read more...]
Association of Shelter Veterinarians launches updated guidelines
The second edition of the Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters has been updated to include expanded research and information in the field of shelter veterinary medicine. The Guidelines provide a trustworthy resource for the housing, husbandry, medical and behavioral care of animals living in animal shelters. This edition shifts its framework from the Five … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – January 16, 2023
Pet health trends, website and social media tips for small businesses, Pet Food Institute keeping pet food safe, dealing with Gen Z, 2023 pet tech trends and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites – January 16, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
United States Postal Service announces price changes
USPS is changing prices on some mailing and shipping products on January 22. The new rates include a 3-cent increase in the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp from 60 cents to 63 cents. Some Priority Mail flat-rate retail product prices will be reduced compared with the temporary rate adjustment currently in place, and Priority Mail commercial rates will increase by 3.6 … [Read more...]
Considering access to veterinary care
Veterinarian shortages in the workforce and animal owner access to veterinary care will remain significant issues in coming years. Mark Cushing, JD, shares new and encouraging initiatives and experiments underway to solve access to care at a fundamental level beyond the plethora of call-to-action slogans. Cushing shares survey results from APG/O’Hara that indicate upgrading … [Read more...]
Galaxy Vets shares list of 60 veterinary conferences in 2023
Galaxy Vets released a comprehensive list and an interactive map of veterinary conferences for 2023. There are 60 events listed with descriptions, pricing and CE hours. Most events went back to the offline format, with no virtual options. AHD will keep this listing as a place keeper in the Worth a Glance section of the AHD Bulletin for your convenience and … [Read more...]
Consistency critical to manage marijuana and workplace policies
Maintaining a drug-free workplace increasingly challenges employers. While marijuana remains a Schedule I illegal drug at the federal level, medical marijuana is legal in 38 states with recreational use legal in 21 of those states. Choosing an approach to marijuana testing can only be successfully defended if it is consistently enforced and well-known to employees. Adequate … [Read more...]
Iowa governor announces funding for ISU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory project
Governor Kim Reynolds has committed $40 million in funding to help complete Phase 2 of Iowa State University’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory is enormously important to Iowa’s nation-leading livestock industry and provides immeasurable expertise on worldwide animal health and food safety issues.” - Mike Naig, Secretary of … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – January 19, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, January 12, 2023. Link. Most read posts from January 12th AHD Bulletin – Social media users more inclined to browse than post content. Link. Place keeper:2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy Vets. Link. ====================================== New strain of bird flu kills hundreds of snow … [Read more...]