Writing about the effects of 90 or more wildfires in the western U.S. during 2022, Corey Geiger reminds us how smoke and fine particulate matter stress cows and calves. Mature cows are impacted immediately which is seen in reduced milk production. Calves however may be affected for their production lives. . . . the preweaning period is critical in future performance . . . … [Read more...]
What veterinarians were talking about at AASV
The American Association of Swine Veterinarians annual meeting is an important event for swine practitioners and the swine industry. The swine health topics discussed at the March 7 meeting included biosecurity, African swine fever, traceability, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome and more, writes Jennifer Shrike. She provides an overview of the information speakers … [Read more...]
Raising chickens comes with built-in health risks for them and their keepers
It’s time again for Easter chicks and to urge animal health pros to reinforce the zoonotic risks associated with them. The CDC warns, “Don’t kiss or snuggle backyard poultry, and don’t eat or drink around them. This can spread Salmonella germs to your mouth and make you sick <Link>.” As part of a series, Isabelle Louge, DVM, encourages owners to first find and contact … [Read more...]
Fighting foot funk
Heather Smith Thomas shares the importance of regular hoof care. Mud and moisture can soften and impair the hoof’s structural integrity, making it vulnerable to hoof infections like thrush, white line disease and abscesses she says. Source: The Horse, March 13, 2023. Link. Keeping the hoof clean and dry is important, rather than just using various hoof-strengthening paints … [Read more...]
Domestication of cats and why they are like us
Recent experiments suggest that cats are more socially intelligent and attuned to familiar humans than we realize. These studies even indicate that cats like us. . . . there is no reason to suppose that humans deliberately domesticated cats . . . if anything, cats domesticated themselves.” - Danijela Popovic, PhD Source: New Scientist, March 7, 2023. Link. Also see: Why … [Read more...]
The modern pet telehealth industry is improving veterinary practices
Vetster’s Cerys Goodall writes about the benefits and opportunities for veterinary telehealth in the article linked here. For veterinary teams who have yet to fully use telehealth, it makes a good backdrop for a team discussion. Goodall says telehealth provides unique solutions for consumers and veterinarians while filling in the gaps of in-person clinics. She adds that … [Read more...]
How (and why) social media is affecting healthcare providers
This article discusses the evolution of online communities for medical information sharing, their credibility and trends among healthcare practitioners. For the first time, data from a recent survey showed that content from social media influences human practitioners' perceptions and prescribing behavior. This trend in human medicine raises concerns, as well as exposes … [Read more...]
3rd annual burnout study released by Galaxy Vets
Results from the third Galaxy Vet burnout study indicate an overwhelming majority of veterinary professionals don’t feel support from peers, supervisors or hospital owners. Not being heard had a direct correlation with the burnout rate. Galaxy Vets shared these key findings summary with AHD: Burnout returned to pre-pandemic level Practice managers, CSRs, assistants … [Read more...]
Last-mile delivery race is a losing proposition
Commentary The Forbes article linked here provides context for animal health pros as our industry deals with growing resupply costs while holding margins in line to service animal owners. By land or drone, the retail industry is waging big money on last-mile delivery timelines. The prospect of a return on investment seems murky at best, shares Greg Petro. He describes the … [Read more...]
Vaccines need a boost, especially for calves
Commentary Seen through animal health pros’ eyes, Abby Bauer’s article is basic. However, seen through a younger producer’s first experiences, it is a reminder and a reinforcement of the importance of vaccine booster timing especially since producers often do their own vaccinations. Boosters should be administered one to two months after the initial vaccination to build … [Read more...]
Animal health efforts DO reduce need for antibiotics
Animal health and nutrition companies are constantly working on ways to improve animal health and provide antibiotic-free alternatives for use in animal feed. Global sales of antibiotics for veterinary use are down nearly one-third since 2011, according to the World Organization for Animal Health with some major livestock-producing countries in Europe, as well as the United … [Read more...]
Risk of laminitis after corticosteroid joint injections may have been overstated
Researchers have concluded that intra-articular corticosteroids injections are only weakly associated with laminitis, so long as the horse doesn't have additional risk factors or a history of laminitis. The overall incidence of laminitis due to IA corticosteroid injection might be lower than many believe.” Source: The Paulick Report, February 4, 2023. Link. The researchers … [Read more...]
There’s no “easy button” as HPAI shifts from outbreak to new reality
With spring bird migrations underway and no vaccine available, experts on highly pathogenic avian influenza believe the virus is evolving and poultry raisers need to redouble biosecurity efforts. A lot of activity leading to biosecurity breaches occurs at night as wild birds will often come in and look for food at night. So, one thing we tell producers or backyard folks is … [Read more...]
Top 50 best dog poop bags, plus a pollution reality
Commercial Content Included Picking the right dog waste bags is vital. Without the right bag to prevent pollution, non-biodegradable and non-environmentally friendly poop bags can create even more issues. America's 83 million pet dogs produce some 10.6 million tons of poop every year.” – OnEarth.org Source: Top Dog Tips, January 5, 2023. Link. There are 23 million coliform … [Read more...]
Does dog park = cesspool? How to safely enjoy it!
Complimentary Sponsored Content Warmer weather, melting snow, greening grass all invite dog owners outside. Many will decide to take their dogs to dog parks. But are the dogs prepared for the inherent risks? Dawn Martin DVM, DVSc, DACVIM, and the Chatfields discuss the challenges of safely enjoying some of the benefits of a dog park. Note the discussion of risk assessment … [Read more...]
The best way to store dog food may surprise you
In recent dog food recall announcements, we noted comments about how dog food is stored. Storage information is not readily found on several brands’ websites. After a bit of digging here’s what we found. Key points: store dog food inside in original bags for best results, refresh monthly.” We reviewed packaging and labels from more than 12 brands for storage instructions, … [Read more...]
The power of “What Else?” and other follow-up questions
Powerful follow-up questions, asked in a timely manner, will double the impact, yield faster and more accurate results during interactions with clients, customers and colleagues. Patrick T. Malone shares we often miss the opportunity for enormously powerful follow-up questions that demonstrate our genuine concerns while providing us with more information about our clients’ … [Read more...]
Pet owners feeling the sting of inflation
Commentary Inflation in the pet consumables markets has been in the news recently. The January Consumer Price Index shows the price of pet food is up 15 percent from last year with pet and pet product prices up 12 percent. We’re sharing these article that reference the inflation trends so animal health pros can help pet owners focus on their pets’ essential and urgent … [Read more...]
Vet techs contribute to shared decision making during companion animal vet appointments
Commentary While it should come as no surprise, this study in four practices shows the value of clients engaging with veterinary technicians and veterinarians. We rarely see this in human medicine and one might estimate that vet techs and vets rarely interact together with clients following an exam. In my experience, it is common to never see the veterinarian and vet tech … [Read more...]
Researchers discover overlooked antimicrobial resistance gene is involved in antimicrobial resistance in livestock disease treatments
Veterinarians rely on macrolides to treat livestock diseases such as bovine respiratory disease. University of Sakatechewan researchers discovered the gene can break the ring structure of the antibiotic through hydrolysis which destroys the antibiotic's structure. Inactivation is concerning because it reduces the effective amount of antibiotics that are being delivered during … [Read more...]
New sustainable bedding inhibits environmental mastitis-causing organisms
Complimentary Commercial Content ARM & HAMMER’s™ patented CERTILLUS™ Eco Dairy Bedding was developed to safely and effectively control pathogens in recycled manure solids. The product safely and effectively uses beneficial bacteria to reduce pathogen loads in bedding, reduce bulk tank SCC and ultimately reduce incidences of mastitis. It also reduces some of the risks … [Read more...]
Got spiders? An overview of potential invertebrate patients
Among the most common invertebrates available in the pet trade are the arthropods which include large spiders such as the tarantulas and wolf spiders, scorpions, and land hermit crabs. All are relatively inexpensive and readily available writes Douglas R. Mader, MS, DVM, DABVP (C/F, R/A), DECZM (herpetology). His article offers a primer for the most common invertebrates … [Read more...]
A perspective on equine neglect cases
It’s always someone’s fault. . . still there are a few different root causes in neglect scenarios, and they're not always simple. Natalie Voss shares a neglect case story reminding us of a broader responsibility to be aware of possible risks to animals when humans age, become disabled or relocate. Source: Paulick Report, February 23, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Toxocara cati infection in cats
Toxocara cati infection is a common, non–life-threatening condition of kittens and adult cats. Recognizing and treating toxocariases is important because they represent a human health hazard, as well, and because infective eggs are difficult to eradicate after an environment has been contaminated. Many drugs are available for treatment and some prevent vertical transmission of … [Read more...]
Amazon Super Bowl commercial, not a good example of dealing with behavior issues
Commentary If you gritted your teeth at the Amazon ad depicting a family dealing with their dog’s separation anxiety during the Super Bowl, you are not alone. Daily Paws’ Jenna Stregowski, RVT addresses why a second dog may not be a good idea and what to do when dogs are not coping well with being alone. Getting a second dog is not the solution to fixing behavioral issues … [Read more...]
Ingredients to look for in dog food and treats
What do I feed my dog? This is one of the more routinely asked questions in veterinary clinics and retail. A well-balanced diet is vital to a dog’s health and well-being. Well balanced means matching nutrition and calories. Sydney Yankowicz shares perspective on helping clients make food decisions. . . . in general, pet owners can be advised to choose recognizable, whole-food … [Read more...]
Beware the busyness culture
An industry colleague shared this article by Adam Waytz who challenges busyness versus productivity. It also offers ways to break away from this fixation. Activity is not achievement, and the sooner companies recognize that, the better off they and their employees will be.” Source: Harvard Business Review, March-April 2023. Link. Five approaches are offered to help overcome … [Read more...]
PAW Program provides aid to cancer patients with pets
The C-word diagnosis often devastates people and their families. Many face changes that tap their finances, energy and make it difficult to pay for pet food, veterinary care or pet services to support their pets’ health. CancerCare provides assistance for cancer patients. For pet owners in cancer crisis its Pet Assistance & Wellness Program offers a variety of resources … [Read more...]
Millennial and Gen Z professionals have high expectations for B2B ecommerce
Millennials and Gen Z zoomers constitute 64 percent of business buyers, according to a report from Forrester Research Inc. In the next two years, more than a third of millennial and Gen Z business buyers will purchase through self-guided digital channels.” Source: Digital Commerce 360, February 15, 2023. Link. Younger buyers are more demanding, engaging in more buying … [Read more...]
Addressing veterinary attrition through storytelling
Veterinary Visionaries 2023 Spring Solving Event is asking veterinary professionals to record short video testimonials that puts human experiences into the profession’s statistics. Using crowdsourced videos, 60 or more industry organizations support this effort to help the veterinary industry reverse the declining employee satisfaction and retention trend. How do we get people … [Read more...]