Cows can be potty trained as easily, if not more so, than toddlers, according to researchers at the University of Auckland in New Zealand. This is good because urine, mixed with feces becomes ammonia, which is an environmental concern. Source: Associated Press, September 13, 2021. Link. If it could be done, toilet training makes it easier to manage waste products and reduce … [Read more...]
Country of origin labeling to be reinstated for U.S. beef
The latest legislation will reinsert “beef” and “ground beef” into the current mandatory country of origin label law that requires country-of-origin labels on many food commodities, including meat from chickens, sheep, goats and deer. Source: BEEF, September 13, 2021. Link. “Only with MCOOL for beef can cattle producers compete in their own domestic market where packers and … [Read more...]
Science writer Mary Roach; the forensics of wildlife crime (podcast)
Discussing interactions between people and wildlife, Mary Roach shares stories from her research for her new book, “Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law.” The concept of animals committing crimes is a fun juxtaposition of the intersection between people and wildlife. Enjoy! Source: NPR, Fresh Air, September 14, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Scientists have identified 7 distinct feline personality traits
According to new research, each cat's personality and behavior can be defined using a combination of seven traits. Five personality traits and two behavioral traits are defined in the results: Activity/playfulness Fearfulness Aggression towards humans Sociability towards humans Sociability towards cats Litterbox issues (such as refusing to use the litterbox, … [Read more...]
Survey: Workers ages 18 to 44 want payday more flexible
A study of U.S. workers conducted online by The Harris Poll in August 2021, “. . . reveals clear expectations from millennials through Generation X employees (between the ages of 18-44) to make payday more flexible.” Ernst & Young estimated every day there is approximately $1 trillion in accrued employer payroll accounts in the U.S. and 36 other developed countries. 83 … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – September 9, 2021
Last week’s . . . . . . most read post Success starts with followership, AHD. Link. . . . AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin - Sept 2, 2021. The surprising upsides of spite and how to harness them Source: New Scientist, September 1, 2021. Link. Spiteful behavior, harming another at some cost to yourself, is a psychological game where no … [Read more...]
History of the Bantam chicken
At about a third the size of an average chicken, Bantam chickens have sometimes caused people to question if Bantams are real chickens. Don Schrider shares the history of Bantams and says they are indeed real chickens. Source: Backyard Poultry, August 31, 2021. Link. Bantams are about a third the size of large fowl, eat much less, need smaller pens, and more of them can be … [Read more...]
Take a break and laugh at the 2021 Wildlife Photo Awards finalists
The 2021 Wildlife Photo Awards announced its finalists last week and they’re worth seeing. Judges narrowed selections down to 42 finalists out of 7,000 entries from around the world. The winners will be announced October 22. Source: CNN, September 2, 2021. Link. Source: The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards. Link. … [Read more...]
Dermatology pearls: Your 4-step guide to educating pet parents about pruritus
Owners of pets with allergic pruritus can often encounter confusion and frustration. It’s important to tackle the issue from the first appointment and develop a dependable treatment plan that keeps the needs of both patient and owner in mind. Source: DVM 360, via AAHA NEWStat, August 29, 2021. Link. To navigate these conversations with clients, Ashley S. Bourgeois, DVM, … [Read more...]
GlobalVetLink introduces the Pet TravelPass™ for international pet travel
Complimentary A new tool from GlobalVetLink promises to save veterinarians time and worries when clients want to travel internationally with their pets. GVL Pet TravelPass is available now at http://www.globalvetlink.comand offers an easy sign-up and get-started process, with no subscription fee or monthly minimums. Source: GlobalVetLink, August 7, 2021. Link. The GVL … [Read more...]
Martha Stewart discusses pet CBD, Canopy Growth partnership
Stewart entered the CBD market in 2019 when she collaborated with Canopy Growth to develop a line of CBD-infused gummies, soft gels and tinctures for people. This partnership now also includes a line of CBD pet products that launched early in 2021. Source: Pet Age, September 1, 2021. Link. Based on Stewart’s business savvy and passion for pets, combined with Canopy Growth’s … [Read more...]
Top 7 most popular dog breeds
We’re always curious about lists like this. Here’s the top seven most popular dog breeds in 2021: Golden Retrievers Goldendoodles French Bulldogs Beagles Yorkshire Terriers Australian Shepard Poodle Source: Puppies and Pooches, January 21, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Pause, reflect, refocus, reignite
Entire organizations are in ongoing redefinition, old and new worlds recombined. Dan Oestreich describes it as a state of permanent, turbulent white water. What many need is a fundamental reset of some kind, or a breather of major proportions. The point is that human beings are tired, confused, angry, anxious and something has to give. To avoid doing the same thing and … [Read more...]
U.S. workers’ satisfaction with job safety rebounds
Findings from Gallup's August 2-17 poll mark the 22nd year of tracking workers' satisfaction with various dimensions of their work life. One year after U.S. workers indicated significantly less satisfaction with the physical safety conditions of their workplace, their satisfaction has rebounded to its pre-pandemic level. Source: Gallup, September 8, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – September 2, 2021
Last week’s most read post Communicating without words, Link. Last week’s Animal Health Digest Bulletin, August 26, 2021. Link. On my worst mental health days, my 3 dogs get me out of bed Source: The Lily, June 27, 2021. Link. Gemma Correll shares a pictorial story of how her dogs help to improve her mental and physical health every … [Read more...]
Wild cockatoos make utensils out of tree branches to open fruit pits
In the Indonesian islands, Goffin’s cockatoos are the only known species to eat sea mangos, a small, tropical fruit toxic to humans. Some wild cockatoos whittle tree branches into utensils they use to open and dig into the seed-laden pits, or stones, of tropical fruit. Source: New Scientist, August 31, 2021. Link. Researchers believe this is the first known … [Read more...]
A buyers guide to horse halters
All halters perform the same basic function to provide a means of controlling horses' movements during handling. However, all halters don't serve all control needs equally well and there are hundreds to choose from. Joanne Meszoly reviews the types of halters and reminds us that the horse's safety and comfort come first, followed by a handler’s control and convenience. … [Read more...]
Tips for caregivers of skinny horses
Knowledge continues to increase about affects that obesity and emaciation have on animal health. This makes it important to strive to keep horses at an optimum body condition including how to body condition score (BCS) them. The authors share photos and tips to help horses with a BCS of 4 gain weight. Think about calories first!” Source: The Horse, January 28, 2019. … [Read more...]
Top e-collars for dogs
Often controversial, e-collars are used as training aids. The author reviews e-collar pros and cons for various brands. Dog trainers sometimes train dogs with e-collars to try and remedy unwanted behaviors. Some trainers say e-collars can be valuable to get dogs to obey when they are off leash, help keep them safe and locate a dog that is out of sight. Source: Puppies and … [Read more...]
Drug-resistant hookworms spreading in dogs, parasitologists warn
Veterinary parasitologists warn that multidrug-resistant hookworms are spreading in the U.S. and veterinarians should watch for persistent infections. Antoinette Marsh, PhD, cited study results that indicate dogs with suspected or confirmed drug-resistant hookworms are becoming widespread in the Southeast, and they have been documented in the Northeast and California. She said … [Read more...]
Winners of the 2021-2022 Retailer of the Year awards
Pet Product News editors selected one standout store as its Retailer of the Year: Animal Connection in Charlottesville, Virginia. The pet supply store won the 2019-2020 Marketing Award and managed to top itself this year, snagging the top honor for PPN’s 2021-2022 awards. The list of award categories reveals the efforts and complexities of the pet retail … [Read more...]
35 pet companies on Inc.’s list of fastest growing businesses in the U.S.
Pet companies that hit the coveted 2021 Inc. 5000 list of private companies included Wag N’ Wash Natural Pet Food & Grooming, H&C Animal Health, Pet Releaf, Nature’s Logic and Carnivore Meat Co. Source: Pet Product News, August 25, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Restoring hormone levels in a neutered dog leads to health improvements
Neuter? Do nothing? Hormone sparing sterilization. Or restoring hormones in previously neutered dogs. See what you think. A case study published in Topics in Companion Animal Medicine details the first report of hormone restoration therapy applied to a dog suffering from diverse physical and psychological symptoms following castration. Treatment resulted in normal levels of … [Read more...]
Apology 101: Make things right
Good apologies all contain one key element: no finger-pointing, writes John Baldoni. He says every good apology has three operative elements: acknowledgment, acceptance and amends: Acknowledge the wrong Accept the consequences Make amends Source: SmartBrief, August 23, 2021. Link. It’s not about you. It’s about them." - John Baldoni Also see: Stop … [Read more...]
The more we give, the more we get
The most successful people in today’s uber-competitive world are givers, says Marty Becker, DVM. What I have found is that by helping others, I help myself. Giving without keeping a ledger has given me nothing but abundance in my life.” – Marty Becker, DVM Source: Veterinary Practice News, August 10, 2021. Link. It is our interactions with others that hold the key to our own … [Read more...]
ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance and AVMA have disaster resources for all. They’re especially helpful for Tropical Storm Henri victims.
Sponsored Content Tropical Storm Henri was a hurricane before it made landfall in Rhode Island last Sunday. We shared hurricane safety and check lists for pets in September 2020 <Link>. Large animal and livestock owners also need to think about how they will care for their animals during natural disasters. The AVMA offers disaster resources to help owners plan for … [Read more...]
Blow air in, not out
Flipping conventional exhaust fan practices on their head, Gordie Jones, a veterinarian and nutritionist, designed a way to blow fresh air in providing benefits year-round. His concept is, what he calls an “all-season, hybrid barn,” uses positive ventilation when it is needed to boost air flow in a naturally ventilated barn. Source: Dairy Herd Daily, March 19, 2019. Link. … [Read more...]
Cattle industry commits to climate neutrality
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association released the U.S. cattle industry sustainability goals during its annual convention and trade show last week in Nashville, Tennessee. Goals include: Demonstrate climate neutrality of U.S. cattle production by 2040 Create and enhance opportunities that resulted in a quantifiable increase in producer profitability and economic … [Read more...]
Strategies to help horses work with a veterinarian
There are plenty of easy things to help get your horse ready for a vet day without drama or trauma, writes Allison Armstrong Rehnborg. Even under the best of circumstances, vet day can be a bit chaotic. Teaching a horse the basics of good manners is part of being a responsible horse owner. . . it’s not the vets’ job.” - Ryan Cottingim Source: Horse Illustrated, January 6, … [Read more...]
Equine supplements: Look closely, they may not be needed.
Horse owners are always trying this or that to get more out of their animals. Sarah Voss reminds us that supplements are not regulated by the FDA or USDA. She says: Make sure any supplement is something a horse truly needs Contact a veterinarian familiar with the horse’s history first Look at the packaging to determine the quantity of each ingredient provided Ask … [Read more...]