Equine asthma, commonly known as heaves, is not something to be cured. EQUUS editors provide common sense actions to help manage individual horse comfort and respiratory health including: Wetting or steaming hay Changing stalls and bedding Increasing ventilation Consider adding an omega-3 fatty acid supplement Source: EQUUS, July 9, 2022. Link. INSIGHTS: Use … [Read more...]
Equine practice carries high risk of injury
According to a British study, equine veterinary practice carries the highest risk of injury of any civilian profession. Panelists Drs. Louise Batt and Tovah Caldwell discuss safety in the veterinary practice with AAEP’s Practice Life podcast host Mike Pownall. Source: AAEP Practice Life, June 24, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Tostitos toes: Why dogs paws sometimes smell like corn chips
Frito feet; pup-corn paws; Tostito toes . . . vets have heard it all! Pseudomonas and Proteus bacteria are a type of yeast present in most dogs’ feet. Activated by exercise, the bacteria cause the smell when dogs sweat. Washing feet with warm soapy water is the first line of defense to reduce the odor. Source: Happy Puppy Tips. Link. Indications of an infection needing … [Read more...]
Pet safety concerns with sunscreens
The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center gets regular calls about sunscreen in the summer. Salicylates and zinc oxide are two primary ingredients in sunscreens that can cause issues with pets. Plus, the bottles and tubes complete with their exotic butters, oils and scents peak pet curiosities making them an ingestion risk on their own. Source: APSCA®pro via AAHA NEWStat. … [Read more...]
Study finds dog and human cognition similar
A study published in Animal Cognition identified six key markers of executive function in dogs, many of which overlap with the structures associated with human cognition. These include the ability to follow instructions, control physical impulses and use working memory. The study also found that dogs from breeders had higher levels of executive function than those from … [Read more...]
World Emoji Day 2022: how emoticons changed the way people communicate
World Emoji Day falls on every July 17 and is observed to celebrate emojis or how their inclusion in digital interactions has made communication easier. Source: The Economic Times, July 17, 2022. Link. INSIGHTS: Over 3,500 emojis are currently available as part of commonly used hardware, software, and online services. See the most used emojis here <Link>. … [Read more...]
Amazing performance: 2019 FCE Dog Dancing World Championship Freestyle Final
This YouTube video from the Federation Cynologique Internationale caught our attention. Beyond anything ever seen on historic Ed Sullivan shows, the lady dancer and her dog perform reflecting each other’s moves. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did. It is also on Facebook at the link below. Source: YouTube. Link. (5.5 minutes) Source: Facebook, Dogz Devotion Academy. … [Read more...]
Veterinary Hospital Managers Association; dedicated to education, advancement
Complimentary content It is challenging to monitor and choose from all the education, CE and webinars available. It seems there’s a new announcement three or more times per week. The VHMA put together a listing of what’s coming soon and resources available on demand. Webinar topics include micro-breaks, social media, career path management, dealing with the economic … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – July 18, 2022
Survey from Elanco reminds us of high percentage of pets unprotected from Leptospirosis sp. and Lyme disease, new 1099-K reporting rules, pet food mergers to date, using multi-factor authentication is smart for small business cyber-security, TikTok launches Follow Me for Small Business Users and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, July 18, 2022. Link. Current Flow Business … [Read more...]
Cattle producers are behind in biosecurity planning
State veterinarians, the NCBA, USDA and others are working together to educate and encourage beef producers to create a biosecurity plan. Free online templates are available to walk farmers through biosecurity questions to develop a farm plan. Currently, biosecurity plans are voluntary in the beef industry. What might move the needle toward more cattle producers having a plan … [Read more...]
Coyotes roaming the streets wins 2022 Urban Wildlife Photography Award
Some urban areas saw upticks in wildlife activity during the pandemic. <Link> And, it’s likely photographers have had more time to capture wild critters in their neighborhoods and submit the photos. Contests like this create a record of the intersection of wildlife and humans for us to enjoy. Source: PetaPixel, June 27, 2022. Link. The full finalists and winners’ … [Read more...]
7 important facts about mosquitos and horses
Mosquitoes are likely more dangerous to horses than they are to humans. Reminding horse enthusiasts about Eastern-, Western- and Venezualian equine encephalomyelitis along with West Nile virus, Aimee Elyse Robinson shares seven important facts that tie to risk management for horses. Vaccinate proactively, move the air, removing standing water is not a cure-all, and avoid dawn … [Read more...]
Gauging cat happiness
Cats thrive on comfort and safety, according to Sally E. Bahner. She shares information based on a research article <Link> indicating cats are more affectionate when they can call the shots on where they want to be petted. The researchers used the acronym C.A.T.: C = provide the cat with choice and control A = pay attention to the cat’s behavior and body … [Read more...]
WDJ criteria to identify good-quality dry dog foods
Foods for pets may contain wildly varying levels of vitamins, minerals and macronutrients, and yet all can be called complete and balanced, writes Nancy Kerns. She shares the Whole Dog Journal’s criteria used to identify good-quality dry dog foods. AAFCO establishes the nutrient levels that legally constitute “complete and balanced” diets for our pets. But, unlike the human … [Read more...]
Obese owner is the most important factor in dog obesity
Just as vigorous people tend to choose active lifestyles for their pets, overweight and obese individuals may pass their eating patterns onto their pets. Physicians and veterinarians collaborated to use a One Health approach to study pet obesity emphasizing the importance of nutrition as one aspect of health. Being an overweight dog owner was found to be the most important … [Read more...]
NAVC opens 2023 registration for 40th veterinary conference
Complimentary Content Registration is now open for VMX 2023 to take place January 14th through the 18th, 2023, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, and virtually. This year’s fees will reflect the registration costs of the 1983 inaugural conference year. Early registration is $125. We are pleased to mark our 40th anniversary of hosting the veterinary … [Read more...]
Dog breeds with the most Westminster Dog Show wins
The winners podium at the Westminster Dog Show today looks different than it did a century ago. More breeds can compete than ever before, which gives underdogs like a bloodhound named Trumpet, this year’s winner, a better shot at earning the Best in Show title. Terriers are the best-performing dogs by far; they've secured nearly a third of all the Best in Show prizes awarded … [Read more...]
Most recent IBPSA Fast Bites
Clear the Shelters campaign returns for 8th year, owners of non-traditional pets at increased zoonotic risk, government regulation of small businesses, new directory of pet hospice and euthanasia providers, largest genetic screening studies of cats and dogs published, heavy metals in pet foods, dealing with mounting inflation, pandemic pets are returning to shelters and more . … [Read more...]
5 steps to put aside the dread and find joy
Resilience is a muscle we can develop by adapting and finding our way through challenging experiences, writes Kristin Hendrix. She says redirecting our energy to good things going on in our life, and taking positive action to move us forward, are great ways to interrupt feelings of dread. Hendrix shares small steps to move back to joy during times of dread in this article … [Read more...]
32 mindfulness activities to find calm at any age
Incorporating mindfulness activities into your routine can be incredibly simple, no matter what your age, according to Crystal Hoshaw. Mindfulness activities can involve almost anything you do in your day-to-day life. <Mindfulness> is not meant to be separate from reality, but to be an integral and enriching part of it.” Hoshaw shares activities for adults, kids, teens, … [Read more...]
The AAFP and AAHA release the 2022 Antimicrobial Stewardship Guidelines
The 2022 AAFP/AAHA Antimicrobial Stewardship Guidelines <Link> present evidence-guided strategies that veterinarians and their teams can use in choosing appropriate antimicrobial therapy to best serve their patients and minimize the development of antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial stewardship is one of the most important public health issues facing the profession.” … [Read more...]
Beef cow slaughter continues unabated
Economist Darrell Peel presents how the U.S. beef cow herd numbers are shrinking year to date and how weather, drought and agriculture practices have contributed to beef cow slaughter trends. The current level of beef cow slaughter suggests a culling rate more than 13 percent this year and a potential beef cow herd decline of one million head or more.” Source: BEEF, June 13, … [Read more...]
Boehringer-Ingelheim shares music track designed to help relieve stress in horses
Complimentary Commercial Content This is a music track, but not just any music track. It’s specially designed to help relieve stress in horses. The Relax Trax audio is also available for download at https://equinerelaxtrax.buzzsprout.co... Source: Boehringer Ingelheim US: Equine Health, You Tube, June 23, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
8 summer horse health concerns
Horses are not really designed for summers, writes Christine Barakat. She shares the need for vigilance as the summer progresses to monitor hooves, heat stress, insect allergies, sunburn and more. Source: EQUUS, June 16, 2022. Link. INSIGHTS: This article is a good reminder for horse owners. Consider it for newsletters, social media and as a resource for 4-H, horse camp … [Read more...]
Identifying and caring for tick bites on dogs
Victoria Arnold shares information about identifying and caring for tick bites on dogs. The article includes links to Companion Animal Parasite Council and other helpful resources. Tick bites should not make your dog itch.” Source: Dogster, June 3, 2022. Link. INSIGHTS: Consider this article for social media and newsletters to reinforce tick risk education efforts. … [Read more...]
Rawhide. Good? Bad? What’s the alternative?
Veterinary team members are often asked if rawhide chews are ok for their dogs. Austin Cannon shares the pros and cons as well as some alternatives to rawhide. . . . dogs can find themselves sick and in pain if they eat too much rawhide or ingest pieces that are too big . . .” Source: Daily Paws, June 3, 2022. Link. The primary fear with rawhide is that dogs might bite off a … [Read more...]
10 commandments of dog ownership
This list of 10 provides dog owners the basic needs for a dog to live a happy and healthy life. Lists like this have been published many times. Still, it is important to routinely reinforce the responsibilities of pet ownership. Consider this article for social media, newsletters and new pet packs. Source: Puppies and Pooches, June 20, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
17-year-old Mr. Happy Face wins World’s Ugliest Dog competition
The World’s Ugliest Dog promotes the adoption of dogs, even ones with perpetually protruding tongues and missing fur. Mr. Happy Face was the hands down winner in the contest June 24 in Petaluma, California. Source: New York Times, June 25, 2022. Link. Also see: Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds. Link. The dog and his owner, Jeneda Benally, won $1,500 and a trip to New York City to … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – June 27, 2022
Petco’s rural market test, new products set to debut at SuperZoo, the impact of wage increases on small and medium enterprises, Seresto® flea-and-tick collar concerns, three generations of raising guide dogs, Mars Petcare supports Hilton’s expanding pet friendly locations, and more . . . Source: IBPSA, June 27, 2022. Link. IBPSA Flow Business Conference pricing set to … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – June 23, 2022
Last week’s most read posts IRS increases mileage rate for remainder of 2022. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, June 16, 2022. Link. =================================== New grant will help veterinary students learn how to practice using a ‘spectrum of care’ model Source: Veterinary Advantage, June 2022. Link. The … [Read more...]