As animal health professionals, we have a responsibility to learn about and monitor the status of our veterinary profession, the foundation of animal health and zoonotic disease prevention. This article sheds hopeful light in the near term, but also presents data indicating the profession’s position is not entirely positive. Learn answers to the following questions and more in … [Read more...]
Are your dog’s teeth a hot mess?
Veterinary clients can take a quiz in this issue of Dogster and read about dental care. Learn what they’re reading and consider using the quiz as a fun, pre-exam activity while clients wait for their appointments. Two articles in this issue present canine dental care considerations for dog owners. Source: Dogster, February/March 2016. (direct link unavailable) Dental care … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – Set up replacement heifers for long-term success
Replacement heifers are a lifeline to a herd’s success. This article highlights how to get them started right and reviews factors for a successful replacement heifer program. Source: Beef, December 17, 2015. Producers should look for heifers that display these characteristics: 1) a mature body size that matches the ranch resource availability; 2) an ability to get bred and … [Read more...]
Consummate cowgirl
If you have ever watched rodeos, you’ll recognize Pam Minick. She will be presented with the Western Horseman Award during Ranching Heritage Weekend at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo place January 15 through February 6, 2016. Since 1973, she has competed, hosted rodeo broadcasts and served as emcee. She currently hosts two RFD-TV programs, Gentle Giants and The American … [Read more...]
Horse health by the season
This article gives horse owners a quick rundown of the most common seasonal health concerns from a veterinarian’s perspective. Barb Crabbe, DVM, provides tips to avoid health issues and a checklist that reminds horse owners what to prepare for. Source: Horse & Rider, January 2016, page 38-43. (direct link unavailable) Dr. Crabbe shares the top health care seasons from … [Read more...]
Runny nose
Horse owners will likely keep this checklist and photo-filled story on equine nasal discharge. The article will cause horse owners to notice their horses’ sniffles and consider calling their veterinarian. Veterinary hospital personnel will appreciate the resource, as well. Source: Equus, January 2016, page 26. (direct link unavailable) The color, odor, quantity and … [Read more...]
Bird Dogs: American Labs vs. British Labs
The American Kennel Club (AKC) announced in February 2015 that the intelligent, family friendly Labrador Retriever held on to the number-one spot on the most popular list. This was the 24th consecutive year, continuing the longest reign as the nation's top dog in AKC history. The blog post from Pheasant’s Forever goes into detail on the differences in the British vs. … [Read more...]
Editorial – Mental health risks of going meatless
I have nothing against vegetables. In fact, I consider beef, pork and venison to be superbly double-processed vegan foods. I also like a side of asparagus, green beans or broccoli to eat with them. Levity aside, the debate of where meat fits, or if it fits, in our diets is ongoing, fad-filled and loaded with misinformation. Consider the content in this article. Then decide if … [Read more...]
Holiday fun from the AVMA
The stockings are hung by the chimney with care and Santa’s reindeer are healthy to fly, says AVMA’s president. He shows us how, complete with health certificates in this fun video. Source: AVMA SmartBrief, December 18, 2015. Being president of the American Veterinary Medical Association carries many responsibilities, but perhaps the most important and exciting is serving … [Read more...]
Editorial – Agriscience programs aren’t just for future farmers
A subscriber recommends this item. Refreshing is the apt description for this story. It features a magnet school program that high school students get to experience animals and agriscience as a part of career planning. Source: Sacramento Bee, December 20, 2015. The Veterinary Animal Science and Services magnet program at Colonial High in Orlando, Florida, is a four-year … [Read more...]
Fluid dynamics on four legs: The brilliance of how dogs drink
In the, “Did you every wonder about?” category, this article helps those who wonder how dogs get enough to drink with their head down and all the splashing that takes place from those tongues. Dogs are drinking machines. A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences confirms it. Source: Los Angeles Times, December 18, 2015. A dog laps by … [Read more...]
How to show clients sincere empathy
Actively listening is critical to effective person-to-person communications. The level of empathy needed when talking with clients is often determined by how much emotion is present. This is a good article for veterinary hospital teams to discuss during staff meetings. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, November/December 2015. Providing clients with sincere and genuine empathy … [Read more...]
Cold Stress: What is cold to a cow?
The shortest day of 2015 is here. The winter solstice, December 22nd, signals the official beginning of winter. Weather’s unpredictable nature requires cattlemen and their veterinarians be prepared. Source: Drovers CattleNetwork Daily, December 21, 2015. Cattle are most comfortable within the thermoneutral zone when temperatures are neither too warm nor too cold. During the … [Read more...]
Effect of ketamine on the minimum infusion rate of propofol needed to prevent motor movement in dogs
Veterinary practitioners and their technical staff members will appreciate this study of the minimum infusion rate (MIR) of propofol and ketamine. The study results may be important to surgical suite protocols for anesthesia. This is also a good reference paper for representatives who supply ketamine and propofol. Source: American Veterinary Journal of Research, December … [Read more...]
Are confident people more productive?
Stephen Covey said, “The first choice we make each and every day is, ‘Will we act upon life, or will we merely be acted upon?’” Most of us at struggle with acting confidently. Carol Tate, founder of Working Simply, discusses confidence and its relationship to productivity in this thought-filled read. She says, “Confident people are productive and it’s a self-catalyzing … [Read more...]
Top 5 maintenance insulins
This peer-reviewed article is great material for a veterinary hospital staff meeting. Ruth Gostelow, BVetMed(Hons), DACVIM, DECVIM-CA, MRCVS, Royal Veterinary College, provides perspective on treatments of diabetes mellitus in dogs and cats. Representatives can lead the discussion as a service to the veterinary team or use this information to become more aware of the variances … [Read more...]
Editorial – High cell counts have consequences
60,000 or more dairy producers and industry persons subscribe to Hoard’s Dairyman. 5% of subscribers are dairymen Only 1.7% are veterinarians Nearly 80% own more than 50 cows More than 55% of subscribers are younger than 55 years old 30% of subscribers are younger than 44 years old As VFD oversight begins, veterinarians must pay careful attention to what … [Read more...]
Draft horse revival
I remember from childhood eight huge sets of harness, halters as big as I was tall and horseshoes as big around as five-gallon buckets hanging in the barn. These were my great-grandfather’s who raised and bred registered Percheron draft horses in Southwest Iowa. Family outings to the Iowa State Fair, Midwest Old Settlers and Threshers Days, a brewery tour at Budweiser, plus … [Read more...]
Editorial – Parasitologist with ties to AVMA wins Nobel Prize
Stories related to me about the discovery of the avermectin class of drugs have always been interesting. The anecdotal information including an out-of-bounds golf ball is not in this article celebrating the accomplishments of William Campbell, Ph.D., and Satoshi Omura, Ph.D. Nevertheless it is wonderful to see scientists aligned with our industry achieve the honor of the Nobel … [Read more...]
State of the Equine Union
Highlights from an American Horse Publications survey that is sponsored by Zoetis show the state of the equine union in this article. It’s clear that the equine industry has stabilized and is perhaps growing slightly in terms of the number of people competing and the number of horses people own,” C. Jill Stowe, Ph.D., director of the University of Kentucky Agriculture Equine … [Read more...]
Do cats present a big pet market opportunity for 2016?
Feline pet food and market trends are featured in this piece by Debbie Phillips-Donaldson, editor-in-chief of Petfood Industry. She also highlights: the latest developments in pet nutrition food safety hot topics Feline marketers and veterinary staff members will be interested to learn more about cat ownership. Source: Petfood Industry, December 9, 2015. Almost … [Read more...]
Pet Industry Roundtable
Ten of the pet retail industry’s top professionals discuss trends, challenges and share advice they would give every retailer. Many of their concerns parallel those of private veterinary hospitals. Source: Pet Product News International, December 2015, page 22 (direct link unavailable). “If you aren’t paying attention and your customer base is evolving, you will be left … [Read more...]
2015, 40 under 40 from Vance Publishing’s Agribusiness Group
“You won’t find the selfish, cynical Gen X'er or narcissistic Millennial snowflake in these profiles”, says Greg Johnson, editorial director, Vance Publishing’s Agribusiness Group. “These agriculture industry professionals are examples of hard working, young people, leading their organizations and helping meet the challenge of feeding another two billion people worldwide by … [Read more...]
Mycoplasma pneumonia in dairy calves
Robert B. Corbett, DVM, PAS, ACAN, Provo, Utah wrote a nice primer on controlling and preventing mycoplasma pneumonia in calves. Livestock veterinarians and representatives will find it to be a good review and refresher. While we often concentrate on the pneumonia, Corbett reminds us of other problems this bacteria causes and its hidden persistence once it gets … [Read more...]
Pet travel accessories for keeping Fido safe on the road
My dogs had always been greater than 50 pounds until recently, so travel with them involved crates in the back of my pickup secured with tie-downs. However, an 11-pound Morkie now runs our household, hates crates and loves to go on rides. This story comes from a subscriber who thought veterinary hospital personnel and animal health pros who travel with pets would want to know … [Read more...]
Editorial – U.S. sales of antibiotics for food animals rose over six years: FDA
Ongoing commentary on antibiotic use remains a must-read for all animal health professionals. As a group, we are best positioned to defend responsible use of antibiotics in animal species. Our food production industry on the whole, is vigilant from conception to slaughter. Major food companies marketing antibiotic-free meat sources add to growing confusion. To me, this short … [Read more...]
How to figure out your most productive time of day based on your sleep habits
We’ve all heard and said things like, “There’ll be time to sleep when I die,” or “My mind decides to run when normal people sleep.” In Lessons Learned by Stephanie Vozza we learn from Teofilo Lee-Chiong, that “optimal sleep requires proper duration, quality, consolidation and timing. Disruption to any of these four essential elements of sleep causes a person to wake up feeling … [Read more...]
Injection biosecurity, rethink the routine
This article underscores the need for single-needle dosing in dairy herds. Not a common practice, Mark Thomas, DVM BA BVP, shows health and total-cost benefits. He reminds readers of the public pressure and scrutiny of herd health practices and calls for industry leaders to set expectations for a standard of care. Source: Dairy Herd Management, December 2015, page 20. Many … [Read more...]
Five ways to avoid reproductive diseases
Isolate, test, hold and vaccinate are common best practices in disease prevention. This article by John Maday reminds cattle producers to work with their veterinarians to build a solid prevention strategy that includes diagnostics. Basic articles like this one help develop preventive thinking by cattle producers. Source: Drovers CattleNetwork Daily, December 2015, page … [Read more...]
Ag research should not be a mere afterthought
You don’t have to be a swine DVM or hog farmer to appreciate the message in this story. A large-scale health and economics problem, applied science, collaboration and dedication underscore the topic of PRRS-resistant pigs in this blog entry. Congratulations to many professionals who have remained focused on “finding a way” for the last two to three decades. This type of … [Read more...]