Pat Miller, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, and fellow trainers agree they are seeing more dogs with fear-related behaviors. Whatever the reason, she says it’s important to understand the difference among the closely related behaviors of fear, phobia and anxiety. Miller discusses fear prevention, pharmaceuticals, ways to modify fear-related behaviors and more. Source: Whole Dog … [Read more...]
Colic. What a pain in the gut!
Sponsored Content Colic is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in horses whose specialized digestive tract is easily thrown out of balance. Experts say 4 percent to 10 percent of all horses will experience at least one episode of colic in their lifetime. While most cases are resolved on the farm with medical treatment, approximately 10 percent to 15 percent of cases … [Read more...]
Keeping fit with pets
Adam Christman, DVM, shares the chat room with Drs. Jen and Jason Chatfield to discuss pet obesity and ways to keep pets in shape. Exercise and activities are not a one size fits all for every pet or human . . . work up to it!” NOTE: This episode is certified to provide 1 hr of PACCC CEU’s! The unique code CE code is delivered during the episode. Pet lovers can get more … [Read more...]
30 grounding techniques to quiet distressing thoughts
Our industry continues to address the mental health of its professionals. Crystal Raypole shares grounding techniques to help create space from distressing feelings in most any situation. Grounding exercises may help a person refocus on the present moment to distract themselves from anxious feelings. Raypole shares physical, mental and soothing techniques along with how and … [Read more...]
AVMA Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities turns 50 years old
The roles of veterinary technicians have been evolving since the 1960’s. Katie Burns shares the history and evolution of vet tech education and governance. The whys and hows shared provide good context for today’s animal health pros. Founded in 1972, the AVMA Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities that will celebrate its 50th anniversary in July. The … [Read more...]
Pet food inflation hits new high, with many reasons why
For the total pet care sector, inflation reached 8.1 percent year over year in May 2022 and is at 6.7 percent year to date. Fuel price increases are an obvious contributor, but Debbie Phillips-Donaldson shares other competitive factors creating imbalances in the supply chain. Source: Petfood Industry, June 15, 2022. Link. <Petfood> is having to compete with renewable … [Read more...]
Guide to medical professionals who specialize in caring for pets
Veterinary medical professionals’ credentials are an alphabet soup of abbreviations. Industry research on veterinary technicians revealed misconceptions about the role, responsibilities, education and skills of veterinary nurses and technicians <Link>. After reviewing Sarah Mouton Dowdy’s article, you may find some credential abbreviations new to you. Source: Daily … [Read more...]
Detection of multiple lineages of PRRSV in breeding and growing swine farms
We’ve heard a lot about viral variants since the fall of 2019. Swine researchers and veterinarians continue to work toward better understanding of swine diseases and methods of mitigating disease risks. In this study, the researchers sought to understand the potential long-term impact of multiple prevailing PRRSV variants on pig performance. Their study demonstrated the … [Read more...]
Kansas cattle lost to heat, humidity, a rare natural disaster
More than 2,000 cattle died in Kansas from heat stress triggered by extreme heat and humidity the weekend of June 11th. While unfortunate for producers, the event has sparked controversy and non-confirmed video coverage. Veterinarians are working diligently to put this event into its proper perspective. Sometimes the conditions get so extreme, it doesn’t matter how hard … [Read more...]
Safety required around poison ivy, oak and sumac for humans and pets
In many parts of the U.S., the edges and undergrowth of stands of trees, timber, forests and marshes contain poisonous vines. These plants are poisonous because of urushiol, a potent oily sap found all over the plants. While rare, dogs get poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac through touch or ingestion. A dog's fur protects against the urushiol. But areas of a dog's body … [Read more...]
Probiotics and prebiotics – why they’re important for dogs and cats
Contains Commercial References A balanced microbiome not only helps beyond a properly functioning digestive tract. It is also connected to good immunity, skin and coat wellness, and even brain and cognitive health. Probiotics and prebiotics can help achieve and maintain that balance. Research shows that at least 70% of the immune response resides in the digestive tract.” - … [Read more...]
New, on-farm pregnancy test kit from Idexx Laboratories
Complimentary Commercial Content With results available in 5 to 20 minutes, the Alertys OnFarm Pregnancy Test from Idexx Laboratories can be used cowside to determine pregnancy as early as 28 days post-breeding or 70 days post-calving. The new test gives producers time savings and convenience because they can preg test whenever they want." Source: Dairy Herd Management, … [Read more...]
Tired mosquitoes would rather sleep than bite
Researchers recently discovered that mosquitoes who have their sleep disrupted would rather get rest than go looking for their next meal. They found the mosquitoes in the research lab slept between 16 and 19 hours each day. Sleep was disturbed by vibrating the enclosures. Mosquitoes will pass up a meal when they are sleep deprived.” Source: Treehuggers, June 17, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
How to recognize and tame your cognitive distortions
Opinion Some of the distortions described by Peter Grinspoon, MD, may hit close to home for some animal health pros. As you read his assertions, consider something as simple as prejudging an animal owner’s ability to pay, a topic we’ve hashed over for decades. Grinspoon says cognitive distortions are internal mental filters or biases that increase our misery, fuel our … [Read more...]
It’s no wonder communication is complicated
Opinion You’ll enjoy this reference to contronyms we use every day. A contronym is a word with multiple meanings that are the direct opposite such as: Bark: a sound a dog makes and the outer covering of a tree Clip: something used to attach or an action to remove something Screen: an action to keep private or a method of displaying something Source: Word … [Read more...]
It is not clear if apple cider vinegar is good for dogs
Sharing published consumer information with animal health pros who may not know it exists remains one of the primary objectives of AHD’s curation efforts.” – Kirk Augustine Owners often attempt to treat dogs’ potential problems with home remedies, ideas from social media groups, websites or consumer publication articles before going to the veterinary clinic. Knowing what … [Read more...]
Building a business case for asynchronous telehealth
Opinion This article about human healthcare advances in telehealth applications adds context to veterinary teams’ efforts to define, implement and manage its role in sound animal care. Note Brent Oliver’s, MD, comments about nurse practitioners handling asynchronous telehealth visits, reducing ER visits, client comfort, increased touch points and high rate of … [Read more...]
Laser therapy helps repair the damage from a dog attack on a cat
Experience from my neighborhood An indoor/outdoor cat from my neighborhood was loafing on his porch when a dog attacked it. The attending veterinary team was able to repair the immediate bites and cuts, but the 10-year-old cat was healing slowly. The cat’s owner returned to the clinic because the cat did not seem to be getting better. The clinic team began using laser … [Read more...]
Act now to add value to spring calves
Opinion It has taken 30 or more years for calf preconditioning to become a household phrase. For any producer, preconditioning may have a different meaning than his neighbors’. Veterinarians and representatives working with producers must continue to discuss, educate and fine tune preconditioning programs for individual operations. Preconditioning’s value has been proven … [Read more...]
Heat, humidity factors in equine heat stress
Complimentary Commercial Content Horses need clean water, shade, moving air and exercise breaks to avoid overheating when temperatures and humidity combine to create heat stress. Source: Equine Wellness, June 24, 2021. Link. Evidence suggests that insulin action is a key component of the heat stress response. Chromium improves insulin function and results in efficient … [Read more...]
Presumed transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from a cat to a veterinarian
Scott Weese, DVM, shares strong evidence of cat-to-veterinarian transmission in an upcoming paper. He wasn’t surprised this could happen, but the circumstances serve as a safety warning to veterinary teams. Weese shares the cat from a SARS-CoV-2 owner home was healthy and the veterinarian collected nasal and rectal swabs for SARS-CoV-2 testing. In the process, the cat … [Read more...]
Salmonella and E. coli common in raw pet food
A Portuguese study sought to find out if raw dog food could be a source of Salmonella and/or E. coli, specifically strains that show resistance to critical antibiotics such as colistin. E. coli was detected in all 14 samples produced by two international brands. Furthermore, 71 percent of these samples, primarily those from products containing poultry, contained … [Read more...]
Fearful dog? Teach avoidance.
Victoria Stillwell shares ideas to help fearful dogs. She advocates to give the animal choices and proactively ensure it can avoid things that increase fearful responses. The dog who has the courage to walk away is much easier to handle than the dog who responds aggressively. Practicing avoidance promotes confidence, and repeated experience helps your dog be happier with the … [Read more...]
Why we owe it to ourselves to spend quiet time alone every day
Invisibly, almost without notice, we are losing ourselves, says physicist and writer Alan Lightman, PhD. He explains the need for a societal, mental attitude that values and protects stillness, privacy, solitude, slowness and personal reflection. This time should honor the inner self and allows each of us to wander about without schedule within our own minds. Source: … [Read more...]
People are quitting over in-person work and hiring younger workers gets harder
Seldom a week passes without articles about workforce shortages, challenges and changing candidate expectations appearing in multiple sources. Business owners and hiring managers struggle to remodel how work is done to retain current talent and meet prospective candidates’ desires. It is a veritable tightrope that must be walked. We’re sharing two articles about retention … [Read more...]
Juneteenth celebrates freedom this Sunday and all month
Juneteenth, the date marking the emancipation of enslaved Black Americans and now an official holiday, is this Sunday. The holiday commemorates June 19, 1965, when Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and read a federal order abolishing slavery in the state. Though the Civil War ended April 9 of that year, it took Union forces until June to reach Texas with … [Read more...]
Forage concerns and management in drought areas
A few of the recent storm systems have eased drought concerns in some areas. Still, without sustained moisture over the next three months, keeping livestock fed without depleting grazing forage will remain a hot topic for coffee shops, veterinary visits, machine sheds, bankers and regional extension specialists. Hay and Forage Grower Magazine stays abreast of grass and … [Read more...]
DVMs use goldfish to keep stock tanks clean
Marissa Hake, DVM, shares how goldfish help keep stock tanks clean. The goldfish stocking rate is one fish per 30 gallons of water. The fish do not need to be fed and can survive off chunks that fall in from cows’ mouths. Source: calfvet, Instagram, June 5, 2022. Link. Also see: Fish in the water trough, Dr Erik Johnson, Veterinarian, September 1, 2020. Link. By adding … [Read more...]
12 fascinating facts about roosters
Pam Freeman shares interesting facts about roosters. Even chicken enthusiasts may not know: Rooster reproduction is driven by the sun Roosters are not always in charge, but do keep order among the hens You can have more than one rooster Source: Backyard Poultry, May 31, 2022. Link. A rooster is not needed to have chicken eggs. Hens will lay eggs regardless of … [Read more...]
Court ruling deems horses naturally inclined to do mischief or be vicious
In May 2006, Anthony Vendrella’s 2-year-old son was bitten by a horse at Glendale Farms in Milford, Connecticut. The injury required corrective surgery and left a permanent scar. Vendrella sued the farm’s owner, lost his first lawsuit and won his appeal to the Connecticut Supreme Court in 2013. The court deemed horses as “inclined to do mischief or be vicious” and found the … [Read more...]