Animal health pros understand the importance of having healthy animals when implementing preventive vaccines and pharmaceuticals. After water, the quality of nutrition available is a precursor to successful animal health practices. Sarah Flack shared her definition of improved grazing during the Grassfed Exchange. She explained how each tool in a grazier’s toolbox can boost … [Read more...]
New lidocaine-infused band reduces castration pain, discomfort
Complimentary Commercial Content Lidoband, from Solvet offers veterinarians and producers a new way to reduce associated pain and discomfort when using banding to castrate calves. Each band is infused with 80 milligrams of lidocaine and stops the pain and discomfort associated with banding. It's a slow-release product that doesn’t go systemic; it stays in the local tissue … [Read more...]
How does long-term NSAID use affect the horse’s gut microbiome? (Podcast)
Purina’s Robert Jacobs, MS, PhD, describes the potential effects of long-term NSAID use on the horse’s gut microbiome. Research has shown there are changes to the microbiome of a horse on chronic NSAID administration . . . " - Robert Jacobs, MS, PhD Source: The Horse, September 25, 2023. Link to excerpt (2:08) Listen to the full recording of Ask The Horse Live Q&A, … [Read more...]
Half of candidates back out after accepting a job offer. Vet Assist seeks to improve this.
Sponsored Content A recent survey <Link>* found that 50 percent of candidates who accepted a job offer between May 2022 and May 2023, backed out, then started working for another employer. Among nearly 2,000 respondents who recently started new jobs, 47 percent said they were still open to other job offers, and 42 percent believed they could find a better job if they … [Read more...]
Pet owners are NOT prepared to pay for veterinary care
Commentary including Sponsored Content “They didn’t say anything about this in the books,” wrote James Herriott in his 1972 bestseller, “All Creatures Great and Small.” Herriott introduced readers to the amazing variety and never-ending challenges of veterinary practice. He also introduced us to unrealistic expectations of animal owners. We submit that while the practice of … [Read more...]
7 pet insurance strategies can help your clients and grow your practice
Persuading pet owners to invest in pet insurance may be challenging, but it is important, writes Jennifer Guli. She offers some approaches and reminds animal health pros to tailor the discussion to individual clients instead of using a script. Source: DVM 360, September 27, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
6 best cat repellents of 2023, tested and reviewed
Contains Commercial Content The term, cat repellent, refers to a variety of products including sprays, adhesive tapes and panels, and even mats that deliver a mild static shock upon contact. Animal health pros are often asked how to keep cats from tearing up furniture and drapes or how to keep them off of counters, tables and shelves. This article reviews products that have … [Read more...]
Dr. Jen the Vet launches the Healthy Pet-keeping Seal program for pet care facilities
Complimentary Commercial Content IBPSA members attending the FLOW Business conference got to learn firsthand about a new, voluntary initiative positioned to promote the highest standards of pet care, ensuring the well-being of pets entrusted to facilities every day created by Dr. Jen the Vet. The program starts with a site visit for the enrolled facility by Dr. Jen the … [Read more...]
Catching up with Veterinary Innovation Podcasts
Ivan Zak, DVM, and Shawn Wilkie remain dedicated to having good discussions with industry innovators. Their podcast series now exceeds 200 episodes and is an excellent library to monitor and gain insights about industry people and a cornucopia of new ideas, solutions and their motives. Recent podcasts covered: Hospitality as a discipline for animal health teams How … [Read more...]
Could one Walmart store change the entire pet industry?
Mark Kalaygian, Pet Business’ publishing director and editor in chief, shares his perspective and concerns with Walmart’s announcement to open its first Pet Services center in Dallas, Georgia <Link>. As pet owners trade down in the brands they feed their pets, retailers like Walmart will inevitably see more opportunity to steal those customers away from independent pet … [Read more...]
Beef-on-dairy: A revolution in American beef production?
Industry experts predict dairy farmers will produce 2.92 million beef-on-dairy calves this year and 3.22 million in 2024. And those numbers may be conservative, writes Greg Henderson. . . . sexed semen helps reduce the number of dairy cows needed to produce dairy heifers, thus allowing more dairy cows available for breeding to beef sires.” Source: Dairy Herd Management, … [Read more...]
The 7 repro mistakes dairy producers can’t afford to make
Two dairy technical service consultants provide their rundown of the top seven reproduction sins that cost dairy producers time, money and potentially future calves. Merck’s Todd Bilby, PhD, and Boehringer Ingelheim’s Jennifer Roberts, DVM, share their collective perspectives. Source: Dairy Herd Management, September 19, 2023. Link. To help prevent slip-ups and avoid … [Read more...]
Reminder. Safety first when working with cattle
Working with cattle seven or more times our size is inherently dangerous. Plus there are moving equipment parts that add risk in modern operations. Libby Eiholzer, MPS, shares six key topics and offers safety advice for each. Most accidents are not because cattle are aggressive . . . A lot of times there are things we can do to prevent accidents just by knowing a cow's natural … [Read more...]
Manure Expo featured research-backed innovation
Livestock producers are constantly challenged to improve the way manure is handled to protect land and water resources and maximize its value to farms. More than 900 people attended the North American Manure Expo to learn and discuss modern methods of improving the use and value of livestock waste. What’s really exciting is how quickly manure applicators and farmers are … [Read more...]
New resource available: West Nile virus in U.S. Horses
Commentary West Nile virus may seem like just another preventable disease these days, but 24 years ago the story was quite different. For many animal health pros, WNV and the severe neurologic disease it causes was the biggest health threat the horse industry had seen in the 20th century. Not only a risk to horses, WNV affects many species, including humans. Stacey Oke, … [Read more...]
Study finds vegan cat food beneficial
Results from a study in Australia contradict the long-standing opinion that cats are obligate carnivores. Examining seven general indicators of illness, researchers found risk reductions with a vegan diet for all seven general illness indicators. Commenting on their research and other studies, the researchers found the evidence remarkably consistent, “Nutritionally sound … [Read more...]
ICYMI – The Bridge Club discussion about new vet schools (video)
Addressing the shortage of veterinarians remains a topic of discussion. The Bridge Club held a virtual conversation about it and new schools. Some animal health pros have pushed to provide veterinary educational opportunities, including modified models for streamlining and modernizing the way veterinary students receive learn and gain expertise. Guests included Mark Cushing, … [Read more...]
7th Veterinary Innovation Summit seeks to collaborate and advance human, veterinary medicine
Registration is still open for the 7th annual Veterinary Innovation Summit. Sponsored by the North American Veterinary Community and the Veterinary Innovation Council, the event will focus on the future of animal healthcare and how breakthroughs in human medicine can be adapted to advance animal healthcare and vice versa. Source: NAVC, September 20, 2023. Link. We have … [Read more...]
Navigating reasonable accommodations for disabled employees
A recent court of appeals decision involving a disability discrimination and retaliation charge against Costco Wholesale Corp. is a reminder to HR professionals to be cautious when determining reasonable accommodations for disabled workers. At the end of the day, what's most important really isn't what the condition is, it’s what are the work restrictions, and can we … [Read more...]
ER doctor: What AI startups are getting wrong about ChatGPT for telehealth
Commentary This article offers perspective as telehealth and virtual care become more prevalent in veterinary medicine and AI tools are being further developed. We noted the doctor’s considerable experiences with virtual medicine, the (missing) need for setting patient expectations, plus challenges when there is no doctor-patient relationship. All too often, I’ve cared for … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – September 21, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, September 14, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from the September 14th AHD Bulletin – Things that fit through a surgical mask. Link. Practical advice about heartworm preventative lapses. Link. Call to action: Educate the public about the cost of pet ownership. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary … [Read more...]
Consider drylotting cows this fall
As pastures continue to recover from drought, some producers who traditionally pasture their cattle are considering feeding cow-calf pairs in confinement. Drylotting can be a feasible way to allow pasture recovery while feeding grain, forage and crop stover pairs. Source: Angus Beef Bulletin Extra, August 23, 2023. Link. Here are a few things to keep in mind if intending to … [Read more...]
The mythical performance curve for net sow output
Culling in livestock production is replete with indecision, reluctance and emotions for many producers. They’ve often worked hard for months or years to optimize their animals’ health only to be faced with removing an animal from the herd to realize increased economic benefits. Statistics require perspective from all sides, as well as accurate data collection. Dennis Dipetre … [Read more...]
Effect of calving difficulty on reproductive performance
Calving difficulty causes economic loss to operations. The loss can be immediate if the calf is lost and is extended to live calf health issues when births are challenging. Additionally, cows recovering from a tough calving can be predisposed to ovarian dysfunction and subsequent reduced fertility. Anestrous in mature cows naturally occurs after calving, and its length is … [Read more...]
Cat treats evolving to become an important component of daily life
Includes Commercial Content For a cat treat to be considered functional, it must serve a greater purpose than a simple reward or snack given between meals, writes Dorothy Crouch. She says cat owners want to support the health of their cats through snacks that are tasty, satisfying and provide wellness benefits. Treats remain an integral tool to forging and cultivating the … [Read more...]
Stopping the nighttime caterwauling
Commentary Mieshelle Nagelschneider offers cat owners some explanations and ways to reduce nighttime meowing in this article. The hours between 3:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. are familiar even though I have no cat. Stray, inside-outside and feral cats frequent my neighborhood in those hours often waking Li’l Buddy whose sudden barking at the caterwauling is a startling sleep … [Read more...]
ElleVet Sciences releases CBD+CBDA study on dog drug interactions
Complimentary Commercial Content A recently published study suggests that CBD+CBDA are each metabolized differently in dogs, with P450 enzymes, particularly CYP1A2 and CYP2C21, playing major roles with CYP1A2 being the likely primary metabolizer of CBD. Pharmacodynamic modeling suggests minimal risk of significant interactions with other concomitantly used drugs at current … [Read more...]
Pearly whites: The importance of dog dental care (video)
Includes Commercial Content Drs. Jenifer and Jason Chatfield discussed dental care with R. Michael Peak, DVM, a board certified veterinary dentist. Peak explains the role of proper dental hygiene in promoting overall canine health, and the common dental issues that can occur if dental care is neglected. Peak highlights the importance of regular dental check-ups, brushing … [Read more...]
Vaccine hesitancy in pets: A look at adverse event rates
Vaccine hesitancy among pet owners is a concern for people and pets alike, especially if it results in reduced rabies vaccination coverage writes J. Scott Weese, DVM, DACVIM. He also acknowledges that concerns about adverse events are real but ultimately de minimis making the risk:reward worth it. Weese shares results from studies referencing adverse events in dogs and … [Read more...]
Total e-commerce sales vs. total retail sales in North America
Retrospective metrics show where and how discretionary money is being spent, including the expansion of online purchasing. This article shows growth rates from 2019 to 2022 in the retail sector. Online retail sales grew much faster than total retail sales during the pandemic, significantly increasing the e-commerce penetration of retail in North America. Analytics show … [Read more...]