Posts about poultry garnered remarkable readership by readers interested in food animals. Three of the most-read livestock posts from June 1 through October 31, 2019 were about poultry. Feed sows in late gestation to enhance colostrum, AHD, June 25, 2019. Link. DVM walks us through Fair Oaks Farms video (video), AHD, June 25, 2019. Link. In search of the perfect cow, … [Read more...]
Favorite equine posts
A horse is a horse, of course, of course, And no one can talk to a horse of course That is, of course, unless the horse is the famous Mr. Ed < link >. A lot has changed since Mr. Ed, the TV program about the talking horse, ran in the 1950s and 1960s. < … [Read more...]
7 most-read companion animal posts
Content about companion animals is expanding exponentially alongside the metamorphic consumer-retail market focus. Topics are varied, including how-tos, should-dos, opportunities and research. The seven most-read posts from June 1 through October 31, 2019 are listed here. Source: Animal Health Digest. Link. Snakebite dos and donts for dogs, AHD, June 25, 2019. Link. … [Read more...]
Top posts from Patrick T. Malone
With lessons on leadership, sales and customer engagement, Patrick T. Malone has provided weekly content since Animal Health Digest began. Readership for his posts is consistently in the top 25 percent of all posts read. Here are his top five posts from June 1 through October 31, 2019. Source: Animal Health Digest. Link. Most read posts from Patrick T. Malone: Integrity … [Read more...]
Animal Health Digest enters year 5
Four years ago, we set out to provide a curation service to help animal health pros meet the challenges of staying current with information relevant to our industry, jobs and customers. Our objective remains; to provide actionable content in the context of how animal health pros do their jobs and as close to the original publishing date as possible. You can then put the … [Read more...]
Giving thanks
It is that time of year when we reconnect with images of the first Thanksgiving when pilgrims and native Americans gathered to celebrate a bountiful harvest. More important than the meal was the gathering of cultures and mutual learning, plus the attitude of inclusion and survival. With this spirit, our team extends a hearty Thank You to our readers. Your input and our … [Read more...]
Being a working parent changes as children grow
Much of the discussion around working parents focuses on the needs of new mothers. It is as if the challenges of integrating work and parenthood evaporate once a child enters school. NOT! Children need continuing care and parental support as they move from grade school to middle school and into high school. As their independence grows, they may need less supervision, but their … [Read more...]
The evolution of metaphylaxis
Tom Latta, DVM, outlined the history and current trends in metaphylaxis for feedyard cattle during the recent AABP Conference. Since its beginnings in the 1970s, procedures have evolved with the availability of more effective antibiotics, more regulation of veterinary medications, greater emphasis on food safety, antibiotic residues and prevention of antibiotic resistance. … [Read more...]
Keep vets protected on the farm
We often bemoan the need to minimize veterinarian exposure to liability on farm. But, with growing numbers of veterinary students who grew up in the suburbs and have little to no real experience in handling livestock, the potential of injuries increases. Kenneth Brown, JD, DVM, shares steps for veterinarians to minimize the risk of liability and avoid problems. Source: … [Read more...]
Horses’ gum color tells health status
The color of the gums can reveal clues about a horse’s health. Any variation from the normal salmon pink could signal something requiring immediate veterinary attention: Yellow to yellowish brown can indicate liver problems when the organ is unable to filter the pigment from the bloodstream. Very pale pink, almost white, gums may be the result of decreased circulation, … [Read more...]
Revisiting equine cellulitis
When a horse’s leg swells to double or triple the normal leg size overnight, owners and vets must take immediate action. Cellulitis, while common, can be frightening for owners. Having a veterinary professional respond quickly and decisively is critical to avoid further injury. Source: EQUUS, March 2016. Link. Caused by bacteria penetrating the dermis and multiplying in the … [Read more...]
GlobalVetLink releases platform updates to all users
GlobalVetLink (GVL®) updated navigation and functionality in the GVL platform applications. The new workflows streamline the user experience and affects all products. Training videos and resources for the new platform are available to users at www.globalvetlink.com. GVL also provides customer support daily from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Central time. Source: GlobalVetLink, … [Read more...]
CBD special report
Cannabidiol here, CBD there! Various manufacturers tout a variety of benefits from their products. The FDA is currently drafting regulations for hemp and hemp-derived substances. The USDA released the final interim hemp farming rules on October 31, 2019 < link >. The Pet Product News insider’s report sheds light on where this new category is headed and gives perspective … [Read more...]
Questions about hand asepsis
Hand asepsis is one of the most critical components of surgical asepsis to lower the risk of nosocomial diseases. Phil Zeltzman, DVM, tackles four critical questions related to hand asepsis: Could you lose your driver’s license by scrubbing in? Should women who perform surgery wear nail polish? Are you scrubbing in long enough? How should you handle perforated … [Read more...]
Top 10 tips for senior cats
November is Adopt a Senior Pet month. To honor senior cats, the American Association of Feline Practitioners provided tips to set up aging cats for success and build the special bonds between them and their owners. The list is a great resource to share in social media posts, newsletters or targeted communications. Source: Cat Friendly Homes. Link. Also see: Tips for … [Read more...]
Making cats share can cause trouble
Some situations in multi-cat households where asking cats to share may create stress and possibly lead to behavior problems, writes Pam Johnson-Bennett, certified cat behavior consultant. She recommends: Every cat should have their own food bowl and the bowls should be placed at a distance that allows everyone to eat securely The general rule of thumb for a multi-cat … [Read more...]
Age-related changes in canine brain structure and metabolism
Although cognitive decline and cognitive dysfunction may occur as pets age, neither should be accepted as simply a consequence of aging. This is the conclusion by the authors from a study at the Purina Institute. Nutritional interventions provide opportunities to slow cognitive decline, mitigate the behavioral signs of cognitive dysfunction and improve quality of life for … [Read more...]
Skin tags, lumps and bumps on dogs
No skin growth should be dismissed without veterinary attention, writes Melvin Peña. Common as dogs age, he says the most important thing you can do about skin tags on dogs is to be observant. Acknowledging he is not a veterinarian, he shares researched information on lipomas, fatty and mast cell tumors. The article is simplistic, but the messages are clear for dog … [Read more...]
Talk about it! Antibiotic Awareness Week
The U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week (USAAW) is an annual observance that highlights steps everyone can take to improve antibiotic prescribing and use. The USAAW observance is November 18-24, 2019 and aligns with CDC’s educational effort, Be Antibiotics Aware: Smart Use, Best Care < link >, the year-round effort to improve antibiotic prescribing and use and combat … [Read more...]
KCAHC plays vital role in pet food industry
Lindsay Beaton shares the importance of the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor (KCAHC) < link > in the pet food industry. Gaining perspectives from various corridor manufacturers, she outlines benefits Kansas City area companies realize. Growing the pool of qualified laborers remains a challenge for corridor companies but progress is ongoing. More than 300 companies … [Read more...]
Why does tipping still exist? (podcast)
Stephen J. Dubner’s podcast features economists who discuss tipping. Tipping is something that some people say they dislike, and yet they do it all the time. Some consider ita tax and others see it as a form of altruism. It’s estimated that tipping in America adds up to at least $40 billion a year. Source: Freakonomics Radio, November 6, 2019. Link. Tipping is an unfair way … [Read more...]
Popular cat podcast goes into second season
Let’s Talk About Cats podcast < link > hosted by Mary Phillips-Sandy and produced by Lizzie Jacobs is entering its second season. Described as a fun educational program, it covers everything from kitty lifestyle issues to the enormous power of the human-feline bond. Veterinary and retail teams may wish to monitor the global discussion, topics and solutions. Source: … [Read more...]
5 important questions when choosing supplements for cats and dogs
Bill Bookout reminds us that supplements are either nutritional or health-related. He recommends reading product labels for answers to these questions: Are the product claims too good to be true? Does the product have a lot number? Are ingredients and amounts clearly listed? Is there contact information if I have questions? Does the supplement have the NASC … [Read more...]
WARNING! Choose rodent poisons wisely
Rodents flock to buildings this time of year. Laura Haggarty shares her experiences with rodents, bait and pets. She shares a warning about Bromethalin, second generation rodenticides, that have NO ANTIDOTE. We added information from the EPA to support her article. Second generation anticoagulants tend to remain in animal tissues longer than do first-generation ones. These … [Read more...]
Equine stifle joint therapies frustrate equine practitioners
David W. Ramey, DVM, discusses a recent retrospective study on how horses affected with various conditions of the stifle fare after surgery. The research reveals that common post-operative therapies do not make any difference in whether the studied horses returned to their previous level of performance. Here is a list of the postoperative therapies used: intra-articular … [Read more...]
Mapping how food flows in the U.S.
Animal health pros will find this interesting. A team at the University of Illinois developed the first high-resolution map of the U.S. food supply chain. The map is a comprehensive snapshot of all food flows between counties in the U.S. Grains, fruits and vegetables, animal feed and processed food items compromise the foods represented. The results also show potential areas … [Read more...]
Beef genetics not equal in dairies
Crossbreeding dairy cows with beef genetics is a growing practice. Between being able to predict calf gender and various processors refusing to buy dairy cows for meat, dairy producers are using beef bulls as a way to add value to bull calves and generate additional income. There is a misconception that all beef genetics are created equal in terms of usefulness in creating a … [Read more...]
Why you need to slow down
John Weiss brings good points about making decisions in this post. His cartoon work comes with thoughtful wisdom, as well as unique imagery. Contrasting snap judgements to managed delays, he draws from authors Frank Partnoy (Wait- The Useful Art of Procrastination) and Malcolm Gladwell (Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking). Describing how we vacillate between fast and … [Read more...]
Use the time change to your advantage
Before you fully adjust to standard time, consider what Ben Hardy offers in this tip about going to bed earlier. It's no secret that at the end of the day, your willpower is exhausted, he says. The result? A lot of low-level consumption of junk media and junk food before going to bed that not only robs you of quality sleep, but also confidence and better decision making the … [Read more...]
Found in AAHA NEWStat
We found several articles worthy of sharing in recent AAHA NEWStat posts. Some selections are sponsored while others are original and collaborative content. Post-surgical rechecks made simple with virtual care, sponsored content by BabelVet. AAHA NEWStat, November 1, 2019. Link. A logical, comprehensive staging tool for canine osteoarthritis, sponsored content by Elanco … [Read more...]