Includes Complimentary Commercial Content The oral microbiome is an exciting and expanding field of research, writes Jan Bellows, DVM, DAVDC, DABVP, FAVD. He is looking to understand the role of the microbiome in the alteration of functional and metabolic pathways associated with the diseased states as results from Basepaws testing is analyzed. Basepaws Dental Health … [Read more...]
VHMA’s look at DVM productivity, efficiency
More than 100 veterinary hospital managers provided information to create the feedback data for the July 2022 VHMA Insider’s Insights. The data confirms many of the now routine industry reports that note staffing issues, pressure to see more patients and longer hours. 63 percent believe their DVMs are significantly or somewhat more productive 31 percent said their DVMs … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – July 21, 2022
Last week’s most read posts 7 important facts about mosquitos and horses. Link. Consolidation trends of veterinary practices acquired by corporate groups are important to observe. Link. Last AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, July 14, 2022. Link. =================================== Antivenin: Five myths to remember this … [Read more...]
Practical culling strategies
Ellen Crawford shares the importance of assertive culling strategies, and the role veterinarians can provide to producers. Culling parameters should remove cattle that do not help the farm or ranch meet its goals. That’s where veterinarians can help producers avoid emotional decisions versus logical business decisions. Operations that are more resilient to drought generally … [Read more...]
Beware of blister beetles
Blister beetles secrete cantharidin to defend themselves from predators through a process called reactive bleeding. Cantharidin is also released when beetles are crushed. Blister beetles are members of a family of plant-feeding insects (Meloidae) that contain cantharidin, a toxic defensive chemical that protects them from predators. Accidentally crushing a beetle against … [Read more...]
Manure-eating worms could aid dairy industry and climate concerns
Fascinating! Royal Dairy in Royal City, Washington, cleans and reuses its water more than 10 times before the water leaves the farm. The dairy has also cut its nitrate pollution and lowered its greenhouse gas emissions, all thanks to a new kind of wastewater filtration system powered by worms. Called vermifiltration, every day, half a million gallons of farm wastewater is … [Read more...]
Managing worms on summer pastures
Sandy Stuttgen, DVM, shares perspective on nematode management during different weather conditions and grazing approaches. Ostertagia, Cooperia, and Haemonchus nematodes’ life cycles occur within cattle and on grass. Using fecal egg counts and knowing when the L3 larvae will be most prevalent can help producers manage worm loads. As a rule of thumb, when weather conditions … [Read more...]
Basic supplementation for cats and dogs
Shawn Messonnier, DVM, shares his basic supplement approach for a healthy dog or cat which include: a vitamin-mineral product that also provides immune and antioxidant support a fatty acid an enzyme and probiotic combination For older animals, a choline supplement should be added, as it may delay the onset of cognitive disorder CBD use is mentioned in a side … [Read more...]
Making parasite prevention personal: Tips every veterinary nurse can use today.
Complimentary Commercial Content Dr. Cassi and Dr. Joel Sailor discuss strategies for consistent parasite prevention. The discussion of adherence versus compliance is an important perspective to consider. Source: vet2vet, July 18, 2022. Link. The doctors discuss the value of online pharmacies and keeping the Rx close to the clinic. … [Read more...]
Top 5 ways to prevent dental disease in dogs and cats
Commercial Content included August will be six months since our industry promoted the annual National Pet Dental Month. Making in-home oral health a priority for every pet has consistently been part of Animal Health Digest posts. We’re outspoken about oral care at home first and Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment (COHAT) in the clinic. Link. Dental exams are … [Read more...]
7 habits to maximize learning time
Opinion Without learning, life is stale. My grandfather often asked me, “What did you learn this week?” during frequent family visits to their home. He understood the importance of stretching our minds, seeing new ways of doing things and avoiding becoming narrow minded. Author Scott H. Young believes learning is the key to living well. He offers seven practices that can … [Read more...]
Coronavirus in the U.S.: Where cases are growing and declining.
Ugh! Right? It isn’t over until it’s over, so we are sharing this article on how Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants are sweeping through the United States. A recent study found that, compared to the previously dominant Omicron version BA.2.12, these more contagious subvariants are four times more resistant to Covid-19 vaccines and are more likely to cause breakthrough … [Read more...]
No friends at work can affect performance
More than six in 10 people don't socialize with colleagues outside of work and 43 percent don't feel any alliance with coworkers. That can affect performance and retention, according to research by BetterUp Labs. Workplace relationships play an important part in our lives.” - Carole Robin Source: Fast Company, July 15, 2022. Link. Simple, effective ways to foster more … [Read more...]
Petflation: Inflation’s impact on pet industry
Inflation is strong in the pet market says John Gibbons. The Consumer Price Index has shown four straight months of double-digit, year-over-year monthly percentage increases. These are the first increases of more than 10 percent since 1981. We’re sharing quotes from two sources that present economic trends in the animal health industry. Inflation historically affects pet … [Read more...]
Get a handle on controlled veterinary substances
Rules governing controlled substances handling have been in place for decades. Not having the proper protocols in place can leave veterinary clinics subject to fines and fees. Jennifer Ryan shares information from Nicole Clausen, CSSGB, CCFP, Founder of Veterinary Care Logistics, on ways clinics can manage their controlled substances with simple inventory management … [Read more...]
3G sunset may affect sensors and alarms in animal production, systems, safety
Complimentary Commercial Content Many have already upgraded smartphones as the FCC opened more bandwidth to service 4G and 5G devices. However, there still may be 3G devices used daily that are greatly affected, such as various alarms on water systems, feed flows, ventilation systems and overflow alarms. An educational packet from BarnTools™ caught our attention. Animal … [Read more...]
988 mental health hotline is live. Here’s what to know.
The primary goal of the new 988 number is to make it easier for people to call for mental health help. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline will connect people to the existing network of more than 200 local crisis call centers around the country. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline's 1-800-273-8255 number will remain active, but calls will be routed to 988. People who … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – July 14, 2022
Last week’s most read posts – four posts qualify as most read in the June 30thAHD Bulletin Guide to medical professionals who specialize in caring for pets. Link. The complaint department. Link. Pet food inflation hits new high, with many reasons why. Link. Grass-fed versus grain-fed ground beef. Does it matter? Link. Previous AHD Bulletin - Animal … [Read more...]
A video trip inside a farrowing barn
Complimentary Content Biosecurity protocols appropriately restrict access to modern swine production facilities. But that also means there are fewer persons who experience what goes on in these production units. Educational programs like Dr. Dorman Asks seek to inform the public and provide a look at how pigs are produced for the animal protein market. In a recent edition … [Read more...]
Straight talk about colic and post-colic care
Our June 28 AHD Bulletin presented resources available for equine practitioners and their clients from ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance <Link>. In the first of two articles linked here, Anthony Blikslager, DVM, PhD, shares experiences from his 20 or more years of specializing in colic. His main motivation remains to find ways to “shorten horses’ hospital visits, reduce … [Read more...]
Canine aggression, treatments, when to refer
Sharing results from a study on canine aggression treatment protocols, Bonnie V. Beaver, DVM, MS, DSc (Hon), DPNAP, DACVB, DACAW, shares the importance of asking pet owners about possible behavior problems during routine examinations. She highlights data from the study showing dogs seen by a clinician were diagnosed with a contributing medical condition. These data raise … [Read more...]
Up next from The Bridge Club
Complimentary Sponsored Content The Bridge Club™ continues to grow in the veterinary sector with virtual and live opportunities to network with other veterinarians and individuals serving this segment. Launched in 2022, Bridge Club Practice Conversations events were made available for individual veterinary hospitals wishing to interact with their own client base … [Read more...]
Possible connection between Lyme disease and Alzheimer’s
Commentary In 2022 we’ve shared the advancing movement of ticks <Link>, that Lyme-carrying ticks live longer <Link> and have seen articles indicating tick-borne diseases and illnesses are on the rise <Link>. While the latest Vetwatch® report shows parasite product growth at 1.4 percent year over year, one might conclude that tick risks are more prevalent … [Read more...]
The great veterinary shortage
There are not enough humans to take care of all the animals, writes Sarah Zhang. While not new information, she has done her research making this an article to efficiently frame the profession’s ongoing challenges in providing care for animals. By 2030, the U.S. will need nearly 41,000 additional veterinarians and nearly 133,000 more credentialed vet techs, according to a … [Read more...]
Consolidation trends of veterinary practices acquired by corporate groups are important to observe
Note: Articles like this one are must-reads for animal health pros. Consolidations by merger/acquisition, vertical integration, alliances and more affect how we do business and as important, how animal owners are influenced and guided. Graham Garrison examines the trends of corporate group acquisitions of veterinary practices and shares perspectives from several practice … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – June 30, 2022
Last week’s most read posts Vaccine guide is helpful for newbies and pros. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, June 23, 2022. Link. =================================== If we love our pets so much, why do we treat their veterinarians so poorly? Source: Boston Globe, February 15, 2022. Link. “They give their all to our … [Read more...]
Destructive, formidable, invasive: How is the U.S. managing the feral hog population?
. . . the feral hog is one of the most destructive, formidable invasive species in the U.S.” - U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service" Some 6 million feral hogs exist in the U.S. causing damages estimated at up to $2.5 billion. Beyond damages, the bigger concerns are zoonotic risks and the threat of African swine fever infecting the feral … [Read more...]
Breeding cattle for fly resistance. Could it be?
Doug Colwell, PhD, reminds us of the general rule in parasitology that states “in all breeds of cattle about 80 percent of the flies are on 20 percent of the animals.” Citing consumer concerns, he says non-chemical fly control is currently being researched. Horn flies are extra difficult to control. Insecticide ear tag use is common but often results in resistance in as few as … [Read more...]
Grass-fed versus grain-fed ground beef. Does it matter?
Good news for burger lovers! Researchers in the Department of Animal Science at Texas A&M University have published the only two research studies that compared the effects of ground beef from grass-fed cattle and traditional, grain-fed cattle on risk factors for cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes in men. There is no scientific evidence to support … [Read more...]
Chill protocol manages aggressive and fearful dogs
When a dog needs to be seen for veterinary care, reducing fear, anxiety and aggressive behavior facilitates a safer visit for the dog, owner and veterinary team. The Chill Protocol described by Renata S. Costa, DVM, MPhil, MANZCVS, GradDipEd, DACVAA, can be prescribed to healthy patients that are known to be aggressive, fearful or anxious during hospital visits. Source: … [Read more...]