Dental month is a memory, but dental issues still affect cat health. Heidi B. Lobprise, DVM, DAVDC, with Main Street Veterinary Hospital and Dental Clinic, writes about dealing with stomatitis in cats. Source: Clinician’s Brief, January 2018. (Link) Stomatitis can refer to any inflammation in the oral cavity, but, clinically, it typically refers to the exaggerated immune … [Read more...]
The gender wage gap hurts nearly all females
The gender wage gap is a nuanced and complex issue writes Lydia Dishman. She breaks down how it varies across categories, and the ultimate impact it has on the economy including: Gender wage gap by ethnicity Gender wage gap by profession The causes of wage gaps Why closing the wage gaps would boost the economy Source: Fast Company, April 10, 2018. … [Read more...]
First Fear Free Practice certified
The Pet Doctor in O’Fallon, Missouri, became the world’s first Fear FreeSM Certified Veterinary Practice this month. Owner Dr. Marcy Hammerle became individually certified in 2016. She was also the first veterinary hospital owner to apply for practice certification when that program launched on April 2, 2018. Hammerle was determined her practice would be the first Fear Free … [Read more...]
AABP program benefits recent graduates
The American Association of Bovine Practitioners hosted the first in a planned series of educational meetings designed for recent graduates. The AABP Recent Veterinary Graduate Conference was open to veterinarians who had graduated since 2010 and 165 attended. The conference provided continuing education on beef and dairy medicine; including obstetrics, necropsy, examinations, … [Read more...]
The view from the gut
There has been ongoing confusion about microbe management in the gut. Continuous research is helping determine which bugs are good or bad, what happens during the production cycle and how antibiotics affect gut microflora. We determined that recent information published by National Hog Farmer would be best presented in its entirety. Animal health pros can anticipate parallel … [Read more...]
9 rules of being an adult at work
It is important to be regularly reminded of what it means to be a responsible and mature adult in the office. These may seem basic but remember immature moves could change the way people perceive you and determine whether you actually succeed in your career. Alyse Kalish offers nine rules of being an adult at work: Show up on time Dress appropriately Do what’s … [Read more...]
Perfectionists and business days dwindle
Alice Boyes, PhD, discusses perfectionists, their strengths and how their tendencies sometimes lead to self-sabotage in the workplace. She offers practical solutions for minimizing the downsides of these tendencies and to keep things moving. Procrastination or decision paralysis is one of the perfectionist traits that slows progress. Source: Harvard Business Review, April 2, … [Read more...]
The gut instinct is valuable
You just shared your recommendation or opinion with a customer. The response was clear: his eyes went down; he turned his head slightly away; the shoulders slightly slumped and then exhaled audibly through pursed lips. The customer's gut instinct was likely engaged. Jeff Walter discusses accounting for gut instinct in an ag world that has developed reliable technology and … [Read more...]
What did veterinarians learn at AASV? (slideshow)
It has only been five weeks, but the American Association of Swine Veterinarians 2018 annual meeting may seem a distant memory. Realistically, there has likely been little time to act on the information learned there. Now is a good time to refresh the action items from the meeting, discuss them with colleagues and industry representatives. Source: National Hog Farmer, March … [Read more...]
Working cats need veterinary care
Outdoor cats, or barn cats are important to some property owners’ rodent control. They are not to be considered feral. Janet Garman appropriately describes barn cats as working ones. She says barn cats deserve to be treated like other high-performing work animals and to feed them adequate nutrition, so they have the energy and stamina to perform. Remember to provide consistent … [Read more...]
Research suggests equine influenza virus is zoonotic
Duke University researchers recently sought to answer a longstanding question about the equine influenza virus (EIV). Can it infect people? Their answer is “yes.” Their ongoing work may lead us to better understand human-to-horse infections, as well as horse-to-human transfers. Source: Equus, March 22, 2018. As for what individual horse owners can do to protect themselves … [Read more...]
Backyard chickens may pose health risks to humans
Zoonotic diseases that backyard poultry may spread to humans include salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis and avian influenza viruses. Widespread outbreaks of human Salmonella spp. infections linked to contact with backyard chickens have been documented in the United States since the 1990s. Source: Clinician’s Brief, March 2018. Veterinarians should advise owners of backyard … [Read more...]
Control flies, prevent disease
Fly control warrants concern from every animal health professional. John Maday discusses the cattle perspective, including VFD restrictions to historical practices. Producers can benefit by working with their veterinarians to focus more on parasite control and less on medicated feeds for preventing diseases associated with flies. Source: Drovers, April 4, 2018. Effective … [Read more...]
Latest Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
The April 15, 2018 issue of JAVMA has three papers that caught our eyes. We’ve linked to the abstracts below: Rabies surveillance in the United States during 2016 Outcomes of and risk factors for presumed canine H3N2 influenza virus infection in a metropolitan outbreak Case-control study to determine herd-level risk factors for bovine respiratory disease in nursing … [Read more...]
Zombie raccoons; 200 new viruses in reptiles, amphibians, fish
These two articles expose the reality of living with wildlife. Distemper is likely the cause of strange-acting raccoons in Ohio. Meanwhile, researchers indicate viruses that infect amphibians, reptiles and fishes are studied little compared to the ones that affect mammals and birds. Source: The Washington Post, April 5, 2018 (paywall). Residents in Youngstown, Ohio, … [Read more...]
AAHA accredits 69 hospitals since last October (includes video)
Congratulations to the newly accredited veterinary hospitals and their teams. Animal health pros in any position can celebrate this level of commitment by these veterinary professionals. No other medical discipline offers an accreditation program. See what accredited team members say about the process. Source: AAHA Red. Congratulations and welcome to the growing group of … [Read more...]
Beef vets release statement on raised without antibiotics programs
The American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) released its position statement on programs that tout that animals were raised without antibiotics. In short, the AABP encourages producers and practitioners using these programs to always put the health and welfare of cattle FIRST. Source: Beef, March 28, 2018. The pressure on beef producers and their veterinarians to … [Read more...]
Presenting euthanasia as a reasonable option may benefit DVMs, owners and pets
Euthanasia and end-of-life considerations are predictable stressors for veterinary professionals, says Katherine Goldberg, DVM. What follows is a rational and strategic discussion of euthanasia from both the DVMs’ perspectives and the pet owners. She thoughtfully suggests we rethink euthanasia from something we must or should consider to something we might or could … [Read more...]
4 signs you care too much about what co-workers think
Wanting to please others is normal. This doesn't mean it's healthy. In many cases, it's holding you back from success at work. This tendency to zero in obsessively on the opinions of others, often at the expense of your own preferences, is sometimes referred to as "approval addiction." Source: US News and World Report, April 2, 2018. The “pleasing” attribute, while … [Read more...]
Your “but” may not give the right impression
The word “but,” a simple conjunction seems nearly impossible to avoid, is potentially damaging to your brand and reputation, even if only subtly. Typically, “but” follows a more positive statement and signals a note of disagreement, opposition, or confused thinking that’s just around the corner. Source: Fast Company, March 28, 2018. Here are a few common situations where … [Read more...]
Why we stink at fact-checking
Research from cognitive psychology shows that people are naturally poor fact checkers and it is very difficult for us to compare things we read or hear to what we already know about a topic. Psychologists believe that there are at least two forces at work. First, people have a general bias to believe that things are true. Second, people tend to accept information as … [Read more...]
Why we fall for false expertise and how to stop
One of the more important assets a group can have is the expertise of its members. But, research indicates that even when everyone within a group recognizes who the subject matter expert is, they defer to that member just 62 percent of the time. When they don’t, they listen to the most extroverted person. People are not naturally skilled at figuring out who they should be … [Read more...]
Urban poultry needs more regulation to protect human and animal health (includes video)
Backyard chickens are increasingly popular throughout the U.S. Nearly one percent of all U.S. households surveyed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported owning backyard fowl in 2013, and four percent more planned to start in the next five years. This is more than 13 million Americans flocking to the backyard poultry scene. Researchers from University of California - … [Read more...]
Prevent lameness in dairy cows
Recent research findings published in the Journal of Dairy Science suggest that lameness prevention merits a strong focus on dairy farms. Michael Cox reviews the prevention issues and opportunities. Source: American Dairymen, April 2018, page 14. Like many animal health issues, lameness is a multi-factorial problem. Dairymen need to review their facilities and people … [Read more...]
Back to basics with equine ulcers
Up to 90 percent of performance horses and up to 50 percent of foals develop ulcers. Even with successful treatment, odds are that the ulcers will reoccur, sometimes repeatedly, according to Frank M. Andrews, DVM, professor and director of the Equine Health Studies program at Louisiana State University. He reminds readers that horses produce gastric acid throughout the day … [Read more...]
Feline serenading indicates heat (includes videos)
If you grew up before air conditioning you’ve probably been awakened by the tell-tale sounds of a tom cat and his girlfriend singing to each other. Angie Bailey shares videos and discusses spay and neutering as the only way to stop all the caterwauling, yowling, lugubrious meows and thunderous purrs. Source: Catster, March 28, 2018. The only way to truly prevent female cats … [Read more...]
Weird things dogs do and why
Dog owners often ask some bizarre questions about their dogs’ behaviors. Tail chasing, butt dragging and leg humping are just some of the common behaviors that perplex owners. The good news is most of these behaviors that seem unusual or even gross to us are quite benign, says Ernie Ward, DVM. Source: Dog-Eared, March 15, 2018. Dr. Ward offers some perspectives to decode … [Read more...]
Organic rat control, K-9s on duty (includes video)
Some dog owners seek to return breeds to their roots. Rat terriers are no exception. Historians say that Rat Terriers came about by crossing the Smooth Fox Terrier and the black and tan Manchester Terrier in the early 1800s. They were bred to create an efficient ratter for farms, as well as a competent hunting companion for the farmer. Fast forward to California where Jordan … [Read more...]
Noise sensitivity and pain in dogs
A recent study about noise sensitivities in dogs gives us new information that could improve their quality of life and well-being. Two recent articles reviewing the research findings are offered for your consideration. The research suggests that pain can be a cause of new noise sensitivities, especially in older dogs. The recommendations based on the work are: older dogs … [Read more...]
Use the first 90 minutes of your day to gain clarity
As an industry, we invest heavily into life quality issues for animal health professionals and animals. Benjamin Hardy believes how you spend the first 90 minutes of your day will determine your success in life. His perspective is results-orientated. Hardy thinks most people’s mornings are far from optimal. As a result, few people make tangible progress toward their dreams on a … [Read more...]