The coyote (Canis latrans) is one of nature’s most adaptable wild animals. More and more cities are being invaded by these daring and crafty canids. As omnivores, coyotes enjoy a veritable smorgasbord in suburban areas. A study by the Urban Coyote Research Program analyzed over 1,400 scat samples from urban coyotes and discovered the most common food items were small … [Read more...]
Keeping special chickens healthy
Jeremy Chartier writes about biosecurity pertaining to show chickens. Considering the upcoming Easter season and the realities of inexperienced backyard chicken owners, his basic biosecurity tenants apply. Note his comments about bringing chickens home and to treat everything as suspect. This applies to new chicks coming from the local farm store too. Source: Countryside … [Read more...]
Top 5 diseases of domestic ferrets
Ferrets are popular as pets again. Kvin Lertpiriyapong, DVM, reviews specific diseases and conditions that are common in ferrets: Adrenal gland hyperplasia or neoplasiaPancreatic islet β-cell tumorForeign bodiesDental diseaseDiarrhea Source: Clinician’s Brief, February 2017. Link. Because of their curious nature, unique biology, and increased average lifespan due to … [Read more...]
Sponsored content from AAHA Red and AAHA NEWStat
Here is actionable, sponsored content from recent issues of NEWStat and Red you’ll find helpful: Cats take enough risks on their own. Why add adjuvanted vaccines to the list? January 21, 2019. Link. Content provided by Boehringer Ingelheim. Pet insurance 101 for veterinary hospital teams, December 21, 2018. Link. Content offered by Petplan. The itchy dog: short … [Read more...]
Dogs and their owners tend to act alike, including anxiousness
Whether through conscious training or day to day interactions, humans shape dog behavior—and they change as we change. "Our lifestyle changes trickle down," says William J. Chopik, a social psychologist at Michigan State University. He led a recent study that found that dogs resemble their owners in an entirely different way: their personalities tend to be similar. Source: … [Read more...]
Top 10 animal ailments exacerbated by obesity
To create a clear picture of how obesity affects a cat’s or dog’s overall health, Nationwide Pet Insurance analyzed its database of more than 700,000 insured pets to determine the top 10 medical conditions related to or made worse by obesity. Source: American Veterinarian, January 3, 2019. Link. The top 10 conditions related to obesity are: Most Common Dog Obesity-Related … [Read more...]
Dog with epilepsy? Ask about supplements!
Many dog owners add dietary supplements to their epileptic pet’s diet without consulting a veterinarian. Erin Y. Akin, DVM, DACVIM, shares information excerpted from a recent study on supplement use by owners of epileptic dogs. . . . less than one-fifth of owners sought advice from a clinician . . . clinicians need to actively engage with owners in discussion about epilepsy … [Read more...]
Cat food: what okay and what’s dangerous
Before indulging a family cat to the wide variety of foods in a home, consider what is good and what is dangerous. Dog food is a no-no, for example. There are human foods that cats can eat. There is a list of absolutely forbidden ones, as well. Any food not specifically formulated for cats can affect their digestive system, causing vomiting, diarrhea or loss of appetite. . . … [Read more...]
FDA investigating potential link between certain diets and canine dilated cardiomyopathy
Updating a collaboration that began in July 2018, the FDA believes that the potential association between diet and DCM in dogs is a complex scientific issue that may involve multiple factors. The FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) and the Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network (Vet-LIRN) will continue to investigate this potential association of … [Read more...]
NEW – 2019 AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats
Created with the goals of decreasing oral pain and improving the quality of life for companion animals, the 2019 AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats help veterinary practitioners expand upon their current client education efforts. This will help pet owners better understand that periodontal disease can be prevented through regular dental examinations and proper home … [Read more...]
March JAVMA highlights
We’ve highlighted two articles from the current JAVMA below. Pet owners' knowledge of and attitudes toward the judicious use of antimicrobials for companion animals Link. Most (21/25 [84%]) pet owners expressed trust in their veterinarian to meet their pets' medical needs and prescribe antimicrobials appropriately. Musculoskeletal problems associated with lameness and … [Read more...]
Opinion – Persuade clients without using pressure
Veterinary team members must navigate an ethical tightrope when advocating for the needs of the patient and managing the rights of the animal owner. Lisa J. Hunter, MSW, LSW, and Jane R. Shaw, DVM, PhD, provide a thoughtful article. It includes scripting that merits consideration. This exercise is similar to triangulation psychology used by counselors, consultants and … [Read more...]
Dr. Andy Roark on boundaries, the new trend in vet medicine
Boundary challenges are not unique to veterinary medicine, but not all of us put lives on the line when we set solid boundaries. Dr. Roark’s writers reveal details about the challenges with setting boundaries. Ericka Mendez, DVM, reveals her feelings in The growing pains of setting boundaries in veterinary medicine. Link. In her post, Our new veterinarian leaves every … [Read more...]
Say pyt . . . pyt, pyt, pyt to stress!
Stress can be a precursor to ailments in humans and animals. Marie Helweg-Larsen shares how Danes use the word, pyt, to cultivate healthy thoughts to deal with stress. Studies show that we are happier and live longer when we have fewer daily hassles and don’t blame stressors on people. In some cases, what constitutes a hassle might be tied to how we interpret what’s happening … [Read more...]
Signs of cancer in dogs vary greatly
Veterinary oncologist Dr. Stacy Binstock’s estimate of 25%-33% of dogs developing cancer at some point in their lives is sobering. Cancer is the number one cause of death in older dogs. Catherine Ashe, DVM, reminds us that annual or semi-annual exams are more than vaccine appointments. The physical exam is the most important function and helps identify any symptoms that might … [Read more...]
Rushing heifers to calve diminishes lifetime value
Cargill dairy consultant Shane Holt scrutinized records and found a correlation between calving age and lower lifetime output. The “sweet spot” for age at first calving was 23 or 24 months. Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, February 25, 2019. Link. I have convinced myself after five years of looking at this that there is nothing that will give you more milk than your age at … [Read more...]
March brings more risk of rabies to horses
With winter soon ending, primary small mammal vectors of rabies, including raccoons, foxes, skunks and bats, will emerge from under buildings, leave hay bale nests and hunt assertively to regain body condition and feed newborns. Rabies is not frequently seen in equids, but the disease is invariably fatal and has considerable public health significance. Rabies vaccine is … [Read more...]
Mood-stabilizing medications can improve cats’ quality of life.
Stephanie Borns-Weil, DVM, discusses behavior challenges with cats, when drugs can help and the classes of drugs used with feline behavior problems. The anxiety- or fear-induced feline behavioral problems that most frequently call for the use of these medications are aggression toward other animals or toward a cat’s ownersurine spraying, the method that a cat uses to … [Read more...]
Plague risks in cats and dogs plus public health concerns
In a recent episode of Dr. K's Exotic Animal ER on Nat Geo Wild, a client brought in a pet prairie dog. As I watched, I wondered if the audience knew that prairie dogs are amplifying hosts for plague. Radford G. Davis, DVM, explains the disease and the eminent risk to dogs and cats from interactions or ingesting infected rodents. Clinicians living in enzootic areas may be … [Read more...]
A forward look at pet grooming
Jennifer Higgins review trends, products and companies involved with changing the pet grooming industry. According to Transparency Market Research (TMR), “The pet grooming market has been segmented by product type into conditioners and shampoos, scissors and clippers, and combs and brushes.” We also noted the references to occupational safety. The grooming industry … [Read more...]
More pets than ever now travelling with owners who spend lots of money
For pet owners who travel, there are two choices regarding their pets: take them along or board them. Michael Goldstein shares information about advancing services from airlines and the impacts on the grooming and boarding business estimated at $6 billion in 2017. Source: Forbes, February 22, 2019. Link. Both the airline “carry or ship” pet transport business, and that … [Read more...]
Trends important to B2B marketers in 2019
Discover the trends marketers are most likely to watch and adopt for their business this year in this unique report. Formats continue to be a huge topic of discussion and experimentation, with video, direct mail and experience-driven interactive content as a means to engagement. Meanwhile, chatbots and influencer marketing are really just a way to reach more people. Source: … [Read more...]
Work on yourself first, to improve your team
Jennifer Porter writes about working with dysfunctional teams and developing the skills to improve team dynamics. Teams are complex systems of individuals with different preferences, skills, experiences, perspectives and habits. The odds of improving that complex system in a meaningful and sustainable way are higher if every team member (including the leader) learns to … [Read more...]
Petco versus PetSmart: no clear winner in big box dog fight
The pet business is one of retail’s long-term bright spots. But the dynamics of alternate sourcing, internet sales and aggressive competition challenge two of the large big box retailers. Private-equity firms bought America’s two biggest pet-store owners within months of each other. One spent billions to boost its online business by acquiring the top internet pet … [Read more...]
Avoiding cost does not create value in calving date plans
As the cattle market approaches some expansion slowdown <link>, consider options for where and when calves are born. Despite the greatest total cost, June calving provided the lowest unit cost of production and greatest net profit per calf, thanks to greater weaning and carcass weights. Source: BEEF, January 23, 2019. Link. Calving dates and management systems are … [Read more...]
Observe manure to monitor nutritional status
Texas cow-calf consultant Dan Gary recommends using cow-pie-ology, the visual observation of manure, to determine the nutritional status of cattle. (research) shows . . . as manure piles stack up, more protein is needed. That’s because passage rate through the digestive system slows down and instead of a cow pie, there’s a cow stack. Conversely, excess protein results in … [Read more...]
Methane potent but not long-lived (audio interview)
Methane produced by livestock is the most potent of the gases in question, BUT it simply does not stick around all that long of time compared to gases created by the use of fossil fuels. . . . the three greenhouse gases are not created equal. CO2 and nitrous oxide, have a lifetime of 1000 years. Methane however has a lifespan of only 10 years Source: Radio Oklahoma … [Read more...]
CattleFax predicts slower and more measured pace in 2019
David Cooper shares a summary of the 2019 CattleFax outlook he heard during the 2019 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show. The cattle business cycle will enter a typical slowdown as this year progresses. Kevin Good, CattleFax analyst, explained that weather and profitability drive expansion in the beef industry. Prices for the U.S. will remain relatively … [Read more...]
Goodbye dead wagon, hello composting
Transporting carcasses of livestock mortalities is challenging to biosecurity, air quality and groundwater safety. This calls for new alternatives. Jennifer Shike shares her experience visiting a farm using an aeration composter and shares her thoughts on the science and the importance of the topic. Source: PORK, February 15, 2019. Link. Forced aeration composting is a win … [Read more...]
Managing feline constipation
Charting diagnostic steps, Glenn A. Olah, DVM, provides a helpful flow chart to help veterinary teams address feline constipation. Constipation can lead to complications including obstipation and megacolon. Source: Clinician’s Brief, September 2018. Link. INSIGHTS: Flow charts like this one are tremendous tools for reviewing diagnostic steps and for discussing the … [Read more...]