Nutritional problems occur most often when dogs are fed imbalanced homemade diets or certain human foods. Dog foods or homemade diets derived from a single food item are inadequate to an overall balanced diet Source: DVM 360, August 25, 2022. Link. The 6 basic nutrients needed for a canine diet include water, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins.” – VCA … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – December 19, 2022
Testing the pet market’s recession-proof reputation, 2022 trends in small business funding, wearables as part of proactive pet care, how dog boarding supports domestic violence survivors and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, December 19, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
If you see a brown clump on your Christmas tree, throw it out immediately
If you discover a walnut sized/shaped egg mass, on your Christmas tree, don’t fret, clip the branch and put it in your garden. That brown clump is likely 100 to 200 praying mantis eggs. The inside temperatures cause them to hatch and then without a natural environment, they starve. Source: Elvis Duran, December 1, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Signs you may have a drinking problem
If you are always thinking about your next drink and it begins to interfere with other tasks in your life, this can be a sign that it’s time to seek help.” Source: Vet Candy, September 29, 2022. Link. Shauna Simmons shares some signs that you may have a problem and you should consult with an addiction expert. … [Read more...]
2023 vet med hiring and retention trends
What does 2023 hold for the veterinary profession in terms of hiring and retention?” Stacy Purcell answers with five veterinarian hiring and retention trends. Source: AAHA Newstat, December 18, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – December 15, 2022
Last week’s most read posts – The top pet products of 2022. Link. Last AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, December 8, 2022. Link. ====================================================== When coyotes attacked, a dog killed 8 of them, saving a flock of sheep Source: The Washington Post, December 9, 2022. Link. John Weirwille sprang out of bed early … [Read more...]
Swine barn workers should get vaccinated to protect pigs from the flu
Susan Detmer, DVM, PhD, is an advocate of human flu vaccination as a way to reduce human-to-pig transfer of influenza virus. Some of what is circulating of H1N1 in pigs is from years ago, but almost half of what Detmer sees annually comes directly from people into pigs. So, what’s circulating in the human population of that H1N1 gets into pigs yearly.” Source: Prairie Hog … [Read more...]
Sow mortality: What are the main risk factors?
A recent retrospective observational study demonstrated that the disease status of the breeding herds, barn characteristics and whole-herd feed medication were associated with the sow mortality rate. The main causes of sow mortality in this study were sudden deaths (30.89 percent), lame deaths (29.10 percent), prolapses (26.96 percent) and other causes (13.05 percent), … [Read more...]
7 transition period diseases costing dairy producers money
Many dairy production problems can be traced back to the dry or transition period. It is one of the critical time frames in a cow’s production cycle, writes Taylor Leach. She shares a breakdown of seven diseases and how much cost they add. . . . the most common management diseases that occur during the cow’s transition period on U.S. dairies are lameness, mastitis, retained … [Read more...]
Boredom busters for urban chickens
Following the trend in keeping animals occupied, Jodi Helmer shares boredom busters to keep urban hens happy. . . . it’s essential to provide opportunities for enrichment, including novel materials, entertaining experiences, and puzzles to solve.” Source: Backyard Poultry, December 6, 2022. Link. INSIGHTS: Helmer’s tips are good content for social media, newsletters and … [Read more...]
Tips to preserve joint health and manage equine arthritis
Includes Sponsored Content Horses eventually develop some degree of arthritis. It is inevitable but with careful management coupled with understanding risk factors and preventing the worst types of arthritis horses can be kept comfortable and reasonably productive. Source: EQUUS Extra, Volume 73, 2022. Link. Topics include: Fitness vs. overwork NSAIDs and … [Read more...]
Animal shelters facing a potentially fatal pet adoption crisis
Daniel De Vise’ provides a situation analysis of the pet shelter market, confusing data and trends. Source: The Hill, December 9, 2022. Link. Overflowing shelters have fed a national narrative of fickle owners returning pandemic pets. That is neither entirely true nor particularly fair, animal rights advocates say.” … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – December 12, 2022
Senior pet numbers growing, 6 ways technology has changed the pet care industry, how virtual reality may fit in veterinary education, using Google ads effectively, why a strategy for 2023 is needed and more . . . U.S. households with a dog older than 7 years of age has increased from 42 percent to 52 percent” Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, December 12, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Helpful gifts for someone going through chemo
Most of us know or have known someone going through cancer treatment. It can be exhausting and isolating. Created with input from people who’ve endured chemotherapy, this list of 32 gift ideas that are helpful to patients. Source: SELF, December 6, 2022. Link. “When you’re going through this, the support and little gestures from your friends and family do mean the world to … [Read more...]
Signs of decision fatigue and tips to manage it
Decision fatigue can affect anyone. It is different than indecisiveness. It is the result of the volume of decisions, small or large, we make daily and further compounded by having so many choices. Elizabeth Yuko, PhD, says decision fatigue is mental energy depletion that sets in after making a series of decisions in a fixed time. She shares ways to manage it. Source: … [Read more...]
Defining water quality in swine barns
Understanding water quality and how to interpret water test results is valuable for producers, managers and consultants. A new publication from the Iowa Pork Industry center highlights the parameters pork producers should focus on when testing drinking water in pig barns: Water Quality in Swine Barns – How Do We Define It? <Link> Source: National Hog Farmer, November … [Read more...]
Updates on equine anesthesia safety (video)
Bryce Dooley, DVM, MS, DACVAA, explains the categories considered as the latest advancements in technology, equipment and ways to ensure horses recover successfully from anesthesia. Source: DVM 360, December 3, 2022. Link. (2:48 minute video) … [Read more...]
Possible benefits of medicating patients before and during vet visits
Using pre-visit sedation can be a win-win, win for patients, the owner and veterinary team, explains Heather R. Carter, MPS, LVT, VTS. She shares the importance of preparation and client education along with medication options. Source: Today’s Veterinary Nurse, Winter 2021, page 30. Link. Reducing patient stress should be a priority in any veterinary setting.” - Heather R. … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – December 5, 2022
Pet spending growth increased $8.65B in 2021 to $23.81B, says John Gibbons; interactive toy opportunities, pet care on capitol hill, cross-promotion marketing tips and more Companies in a cross-promotion partnership need to be on the same page with clearly defined, common goals including when to end the arrangement.” Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, December 5, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Find happiness at work instead of quiet quitting
Craig Barkacs focuses on the real, underlying issue at hand when people talk about quiet quitting: unhappy employees. Workers in that situation have four options: Do nothing Quit Quiet quit Do something to improve the situation, so they can be happier. Barkacs advocates taking time and space before acting using an acronym, S-P-A-C-E, which stands for Sincerity, … [Read more...]
CDC’s latest pandemic guidelines for travel and events
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is encouraging the public to wear face masks again to prevent the spread of RSV, flu and Covid-19 over the holidays. The agency advises that those who are traveling or have weakened immune systems to wear face coverings. One need not wait on CDC action in order to put a mask on. We would encourage all of preventative measures such … [Read more...]
Compounding webinar outlines FDA final guidance #256
Regulatory education FDA Veterinarian Amber McCoig examines the policies included in this guidance and what they mean for veterinarians and their teams in the webinar. She also discusses how the agency’s final guidance tries to balance the risks of compounding animal drugs from bulk substances when there is no FDA-approved drug available, and why the FDA can’t assure the … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – December 1, 2022
Last week’s most read posts – The power of questions. Link. Last AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, November 22, 2022. Link. 'Mpox' is the new name for monkeypox, the WHO says Source: LiveScience, November 28, 2022. Link. Citing scientific inaccuracy and racial stigmatism, the term monkeypox will be phased out over the upcoming year, … [Read more...]
Ranch Safety Guide released by Noble Research Institute
The Noble Research Institute and the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef have released “Ranch Employee Safety: Working Cattle and Related Facilities and Equipment,” a free, downloadable PDF. Source: Noble Research Institute, November 2022. Link. This Ranch Employee Safety provides information related to reducing hazards and risks associate with working beef cattle . . … [Read more...]
Genetics drive conversation for profitability of commercial cattlemen
Picking and managing best traits has long been part of the art of livestock production. Still, doing something new may be right to add value through genetics and marketing programs. A panel at the 2022 Angus Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah, shared tactics and thought processes commercial cattlemen can use to grow their operation during the November 5th event. . . . the gap … [Read more...]
Proper ventilation lends itself to healthier calves
One of the most important issues directly associated with the health of calves is proper ventilation. Ensuring that calf barns and hutches are not completely closed and that calves are housed in a draft-free environment are two key elements to proper ventilation. As temperatures fall below 50°F, calves deplete their own energy making daily adjustments to calf conditions … [Read more...]
Ramey: Can horses have mental illness?
There's no objective way to tell if a horse might have mental illness, writes David Ramey, DVM. While he thinks it's possible, it is admittedly hard to tell. Source: The Paulick Report, August 22, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Winter hoof care
Every winter is different. Thus, it is always important to remind horse owners to ensure horse and hoof health through the colder months. The AFJ team compiled a checklist of the dos and don’ts for horse owners who experience even the mildest winters. The Winter Hoof Care Checklist is saved in the AHD library for convenient access <Link>. Source: American Farriers … [Read more...]
Almost 27, Flossie is the world’s oldest living cat
Born in 1995, Flossie has been in several homes since living as a stray kitten in Liverpool, England. Vicki Green, Flossie’s fourth owner, adopted the elderly pet after it was handed in to the UK cat welfare charity, Cats Protection. The oldest cat who ever lived, Crème Puff, reached the age of 38 years and three days passing on August 6, 2005. Source: CNN, November 25, … [Read more...]
Pet parenting style influences dog behavior
An Oregon State University research study shows that the pet dog-human caretaker bond may be functionally and emotionally like the bond between a human parent and their child. The study focused on how the quality of a human-dog relationship may influence a dog’s performance on behavioral and cognitive tests. Source: Vet Candy, October 11, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]