Memorial Day, which honors men and women who died while in military service, is Monday. No matter how you celebrate this weekend, we encourage you to take the time to recognize the importance of the day. Learn more about it and get some great recipes in this article. Source: The Old Farmer’s Almanac, May 19, 2020. Link. In 1971, Memorial Day became a national holiday by an … [Read more...]
FFA: $2 million in 2020 scholarships, 103 sponsors, 1,323 recipients
2020 marks the 36th year for the scholarship program, which began in 1984. Since then, more than $50 million has been awarded in scholarship funds through the National FFA Organization. Congratulations to all the recipients and thank you to supporting sponsors. Source: Rural Marketing News, March 11, 2020. Link. Approximately one in every four students who applied was … [Read more...]
Did you wash that egg?
Backyard chicken numbers continue to climb. Owners cite fresh, tasty eggs as one reason to have their own chickens. Bacteria can be a concern without proper care of the chickens and the eggs. Dianna V. Bourassa, PhD, shares ways to minimize bacteria risks. Source: Chicken Whisperer, Spring 2020. Link. INSIGHTS: This is a resource worth sharing with folks keeping chickens … [Read more...]
Recent trending headlines from BEEF
BEEF offers a quick review of trending headlines from the last three weeks. Topics include: Improving returns on calves Dealing with environmental idiots The value of reproduction rates Proper timing is crucial for calfhood vaccinations Let calves grow or not? Source: BEEF, May 11, 2020. Link. Source: BEEF, April 27, 2020. Link. For a laugh see: … [Read more...]
Too much drool could signal a problem
Excessive salivation can be caused by happiness, hyperthermia or household cleaning products. Check these additional differentials for ptyalism and pseudoptyalism from Julie Allen, BVMS, MS, MRCVS, DACVIM (SAIM), DACVP. Source: Clinician’s Brief, April 2020. Link. … [Read more...]
Dog beds are improving
An aging dog population and the increased focus on pet comfort by younger dog owners has dog bed manufacturers combining science and style to meet owner and pet needs. Source: Pet Product News, May 2020. Link. Manufacturers and retailers named a number of functional qualities that owners want from their dog beds, such as comfort, durability, safety, and ease of cleaning. … [Read more...]
If your life was a movie
Ever feel like you’re stuck when you need to make a decision and don’t know what to do? Unfortunately, our emotions often cloud our thinking when faced with the pressure of making a big decision. Source: Purpose Unlimited. Link. To make wise choices and avoid acting on impulse we need to engage in a logical thought process. If your life was a movie how would you write the … [Read more...]
HAPPENING TODAY: Veterinary Innovation Podcast guests to discuss virtual veterinary shows
TODAY, Julie Legred, CVT, and Beckie Mossor, RVT, will join the VIP hosts to discuss upcoming virtual veterinary shows. The podcast is tentatively scheduled for 4:00 p.m. ADT, 3:00 p.m. EDT, 2:00 p.m. CDT, 1:00 p.m. MDT and noon PDT. Check the VIP website to confirm the time at least two hours before current scheduled time. Source: Veterinary Innovation Podcasts, May 13, … [Read more...]
Tips to avoid malicious apps
With digital use at an all-time high, there are risks to consider with the convenience and fun some apps offer. Anthony Green reminds us that apps can be easy entry points for digital criminals who want to pirate your data and seize control of your accounts and devices. He offers some basic tips to avoid pirating. Never download from a third-party app outside of the App Store … [Read more...]
Training and education available for backyard poultry raisers
With growing interest in backyard hens, and with some towns and cities allowing residents to raise chickens in their backyards, Alberta Farm Animal Care is hosting a Backyard Chicken webinar series for beginner poultry raisers. The series covers information on flock health, handling, costs, bylaws, breeds, coop design, diseases and more. Cassandra Kirkpatrick, Urban Hen … [Read more...]
Hornets from hell. Bee-ware! (video)
The Asian giant hornet has been found in the Pacific Northwest and North American honey beekeepers are notably alarmed. Asian hornets feed on other insects including honeybees and are capable of quickly destroying hives. They nest in the ground and can be distinguished by their yellow heads, body length of nearly two inches length and a wingspan of up to three inches. Dormant … [Read more...]
Feral-to-friendly tips for transitioning a cat
Bringing a feral, or community cat, into a home involves committing to a gradual socialization process, writes Sally Bahner. It’s important to understand that there’s no guarantee you’ll end up with a cuddly lap cat. Bahner shares six steps for making friends with a stray. Source: Animal Wellness, May 4, 2020. Link. In many cases, feral cats can be socialized and transformed … [Read more...]
Sunscreen protection for dogs
Dogs are just as prone as humans are to sunburn and related health conditions, such as skin cancers. Dogs should NOT wear human sunscreen, writes Sally Jones. They need to use a sunscreen specially formulated for dogs, especially considering how much they like to lick themselves. Common ingredients found in human sunscreens, such as zinc oxide or para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), … [Read more...]
AAHA releases employee handbook guidelines, including Covid-19 resources
The AAHA Guide to Creating an Employee Handbook is now available with new and updated sample policies covering the most recent developments in federal law and human resource management. It includes up to date information on the best employment policies for your practice, from scheduling and pay periods to workplace safety and care of facility to vacations and leave. Access … [Read more...]
Change or transformation?
The world will look radically different in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. Our survival and success in the new world will depend on understanding the difference between change and transformation. Source: Purpose Unlimited. Link. Most businesses fail because they are merely reacting to change that has already taken place. Futurist Daniel Burrus describes it like … [Read more...]
Veterinarian: my career prepared me for the Covid-19 pandemic
Kimberly Pope-Robinson, DVM, speaker, author and coach, recently shared how learning resiliency to cope with her professional life helped her navigate through emotional roller coaster challenges, including the current pandemic. Source: 1 Life Connected, April 27, 2020. Link. Pope-Robinson shared four key areas that are helping her now and that can apply to anyone, not just … [Read more...]
17 video meeting mistakes to avoid
Like it or not, video meetings are part of work and personal life for the foreseeable future. These meetings come with their own set of rules. Here are 17 things to avoid to keep your professional image intact. Source: Ladders, April 22, 2020. Link. Your video is turned off. You think Zoom is always a necessity. You don’t turn on mute, ever. INSIGHTS: This is a … [Read more...]
The perfect place
The news is filled with stories of the suffering and death caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. We want things to be normal again. In a perfect world, no one would suffer or struggle — but that’s not normal. Source: Purpose Unlimited: Link. Perfect can be defined as being entirely without fault or defect. When used as a verb, perfect (emphasis on the second syllable) means … [Read more...]
Good guidance on equine supplements
Supplements are designed to help support the normal structure and function of a horse’s body rather than correct an abnormal condition or disease. Today’s horse owners find they benefit from taking supplements personally and want their equine companions to experience these benefits, too. But, they need a careful eye to identify supplements from suppliers that disregard … [Read more...]
Pollen or cat allergy?
Watery eyes, runny noses and scratchy throats are symptoms of environmental allergies, as well as pet allergies. About twice as many people are allergic to cats as dogs. A truly hypoallergenic cat does not exist, even though some breeds are thought to be. Cat allergies are caused by a reaction to a protein in cat dander, urine and saliva. The author shares steps to lessen … [Read more...]
Veterinary Virtual Care Association formed
To help the profession navigate how to implement virtual care into practices, Veterinary Virtual Care Association, a new nonprofit organization has been formed. This global association is dedicated to developing best practices for delivering virtual care for animals, defining quality standards and protocols for practicing virtual care, sharing experiences among practice teams, … [Read more...]
Car noises you should never ignore
“Did you check the tires?” was a frequently asked question when we jumped into the car to go somewhere. Jill Trotta shares five car noises we should never ignore and what to do about them. Source: BottomLine Inc. Link. INSIGHTS: Newer automobiles warn you when things are not working correctly. But our ears, eyes, nose and touch sensations remain very important to keep our … [Read more...]
Milk replacers versus fresh milk. A value discussion.
Someone recently said that milk replacers are more nutritionally consistent than fresh milk. Ioannis Mavromichalis, PhD, takes on the statement and discusses the value of fresh milk and milk replacer use in calf supplementation. Source: Feed Strategy, April 20, 2020. Link. . . . the notion that cow’s milk is unsuitable because it is too variable in composition simply makes … [Read more...]
Debunking 4 common horse-feeding misconceptions
Clair Thunes, PhD, acknowledges that knowing what and how to feed a horse can be confusing with the options available these days. She says to read and follow the manufacturers’ labels. . . . be sure to measure feeds by weight, not volume.” – Clari Thunes, PhD Source: Horse and Rider, April 8, 2020. Link. INSIGHTS: Thunes offers concise counsel that horse owners will … [Read more...]
Blastomycosis. There are fungi among us.
Scott Weese, DVM, reviews study results on the dimorphic fungus Blastomyces dermatitidis, its prevalence and how dogs may speed up the process of diagnosis in humans. Source: WormsandGerms Blog. April 20, 2020. Link. Blasto lives in two forms, therefore dimorphic, says Weese. In the environment it lives in the form of a mold, and its exposure to this form that can result in … [Read more...]
Earth Day turns 50
Happy 50th birthday Earth Day The 50th anniversary of Earth Day was yesterday. The first Earth Day in 1970 launched a wave of action, including the passage of landmark environmental laws in the United States. The Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts were created in response to the first Earth Day, as was the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency … [Read more...]
Avian egg size trivia quiz
This click-bait quiz is fun. Check out the answer. Which bird lays the largest egg relative to its body size? Eagle? Kiwi? Ostrich? Emu? The ostrich is the largest bird in the world and it lays the largest egg of any bird species. If you look at egg size relative to the size of the bird that lays it, however, a different feathered, flightless creature comes … [Read more...]
Deciding who should stay and who should go
Michell Evans shares ideas with groomers for culling a client list. She addresses groomer safety, pet owner dependability and using waiting lists. Source: Groomer to Groomer, April 2020, page 48. Link. Consider implementing a weight limit. Large dogs take a toll on equipment, utilities and supplies. A waiting list is a useful method of telling people no without really … [Read more...]
Yes, dogs really watch TV
Newer TV technologies are more likely to make couch potatoes out of dogs. They react to light and sound with older technologies but truly watch given the speed of the newer digital screens. Dog owners will appreciate this information. Share it on social media and in newsletters. Source: Animal Wellness, April 13, 2020. Link. Three things that effect television watching for … [Read more...]
Look out for misuse of ivermectin
What happens in a petri dish does not indicate efficacy or safety when used off label in humans warns, the FDA in reference to an Antiviral Research article. Animal health professionals should be on the lookout for the potential misuse of a human- and animal-prescribed antiparasitic drug thought to be a possible treatment for COVID-19. Source: Veterinary Practice News, April … [Read more...]