Last week’s most read post Emotions – make them work for you. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, February 10, 2022. Link. =========================== Dog breeds that shed the most Source: Puppies and Pooches, February 10, 2022. Link. Prospective dog owners not prepared for the constant vacuuming and brushing … [Read more...]
Scientists explain why sudden equine deaths are hard to pinpoint
Efforts to explain the sudden death of especially racehorses took the form of a teleconference focused on the loss of Medina Spirit on December 6, 2021, at Santa Anita Park. The California Horse Racing Board hosted a media teleconference where veterinarians provided context to the investigation’s findings. It's not uncommon for sudden death cases to have no cause of death … [Read more...]
Treat the cat, not the test
Symmetric dimethylarginine is a biomarker used to assess glomerular filtration rate in the diagnosis, classification and monitoring of chronic kidney disease. Margie Scherk, DVM, DABVP, presents acceptable analytical variability in SDMA immunoassay values and notes that clinician expectations for test performance expected much less variability than shown. When interpreting … [Read more...]
Retrospective evaluation of secondary wound healing for extraction of the maxillary first molar in dogs
A particular area of challenge of oral surgery in dogs is extraction and closure of the maxillary first molar (M1) in dogs. A retrospective assessment evaluated patients that had the maxillary first molar extracted with placement of a cruciate suture across the alveolus to achieve partial closure and secure the blood clot. Results . . . demonstrate that primary … [Read more...]
The evolution of computer speech
Sponsored Content Talkatoo, an AHD sponsor, recently shared an informative short video about speech recognition, software evolution and the continuous improvements in technology. Source: LinkedIn, February 8, 2022. Link. Talkatoo uses speech-to-text software to type out what you say in full and complete sentences with spelling and grammar corrections also being … [Read more...]
February 2022 is Responsible Pet Owners Month
Responsible Pet Owners Month highlights the key components of responsibility about pet ownership and how owners meet their animals’ needs including*: Food quality and portions Getting enough exercise, love and attention Proper identification Pet proofing and safety in home and yard Socialization beyond the home Regular veterinary check-ups * Our additions … [Read more...]
Your invisible work is key to your most productive self
Invisible work includes deep observation, listening, daydreaming, sitting with our intuition, pondering questions about a challenge or opportunity post meeting, and then reframing those questions, writes Natalie Nixon. It’s the feverish scribbling or typing out of new ideas that emerge in the moment or during windshield time on a long drive. Nixon asserts we need to stop … [Read more...]
Making sure mentoring works
Employee development topics abound as society faces the great resignation, work-life balance and employee retention. Results from Harvard Business School research found that new hires who received effective mentoring were able to outperform their non-mentored peers by 18 percent. What’s more, the mentored employees also stayed with the organization longer than their … [Read more...]
Anti-mink farming bill should concern poultry, confined animal production industry
OPINION It’s easy to forget about mink production, especially if you live in a region where mink have never been raised, writes Roy Graber. The fact that a provision that would outlaw commercial mink farms in the U.S. made it into a larger legislative bill should be concerning to anyone involved in animal agriculture, he says. Animal agriculture has been under intense … [Read more...]
3 mindset pivots that help lead for today, tomorrow and beyond
Leaders at all levels can use business issues as strategic building blocks to seek resolution and strategically move forward. Dave Coffaro shares three pivots to help move a business from defining problems to strategic management: Pivot 1: From eliminating pain points to a strategic management mindset Pivot 2: From description to root cause Pivot 3: From struggle to … [Read more...]
VIS updates analysis of the major veterinary groups in North America
Veterinary Integration Solutions released its updated version of veterinary groups in North America. What’s new: Galaxy Vets was added SAGE Veterinary Centers was added Pathway Vets was renamed Thrive Pet Healthcare MAVANA was removed O’Brien Veterinary Group was removed The numbers of locations were updated. Source: Veterinary Integration Solutions, … [Read more...]
A coronavirus variant once helped the global pork industry. Could one protect us?
In 1946 veterinary researchers at Purdue University reported that something invading the guts of young pigs was causing diarrhea, vomiting and weight loss, ultimately killing most of them. The culprit was a coronavirus we know as transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV). TGEV has never harmed a human, and its relationship to SARS-CoV-2, the driver of COVID-19, is … [Read more...]
Knowing open cows more important than knowing pregnant ones
The most important controllable component of any breeding program is to identify your open cows, says Donna Amaral-Phillips, PhD. The faster open cows are identified, the sooner they can be rebred. Lost pregnancies are not just frustrating. They often cause long-term financial impacts. The more cows with extended days open, the greater the total cost.” - Donna Amaral-Phillips, … [Read more...]
Goals for first lactation dairy cows
We’ve shared considerable calving information in recent weeks. Healthy calves grow to be healthy cows. Rudimentary? Yes, but often unspoken. Calves and heifers that grow well and become productive cows is a target for every dairy farm. Mike Van Amburgh, PhD, shared some growth targets for dairy replacements, writes Abby Bauer. These include doubling a calf’s bodyweight … [Read more...]
What to do when activists arrive
Anthropomorphic characteristics continue to define how humans see animals. With this comes more activism targeted at current stewardship methods, regardless of how much improvement has been made in pain management, care, housing, handling and euthanasia methods. Animal health professionals need to be prepared for animal activist encounters. If you encounter an activist on … [Read more...]
6 nutrients that support hoof health
Commercial content included Certain nutrients can make a huge difference in the state of a horse’s feet. The author outlines six ingredients that can have a positive impact on hoof health and stability. Source: Equine Wellness, January 13, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Could it be an allergy?
Getting a good history and a complete picture of anything that might have changed in a pet’s environment is important for any allergy diagnosis. Ultimately, getting history depends on fully engaging the pet owner to identify possible causes. Consider this article as a resource to help pet owners think about possible causes when they suspect a pet allergy and to realize the … [Read more...]
USDA: Veterinary shortage situation areas for 2022
228 veterinary shortage situation area nominations are now available for Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program and Veterinary Services Grant Program applicants to review on the Veterinary Services Shortage Situations Map. Source: USDA, January 4, 2022. Link. The Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Programhelps qualified veterinarians offset a significant portion of … [Read more...]
3 tactics that will help deal with burnout the right way
Burnout expert Kelley Bonner notes few are talking about how to deal with the underlying issues that masquerade as burnout. It isn’t simply a synonym for stress, the WHO definition suggests; it’s the result of deep, long-term stress that hasn’t been dealt with, either by the sufferer or their employer <Link>. . . . burnout is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from … [Read more...]
Survey says: Younger pet owners plan to spend less, lose pets in 2022
Compared to Gen X and baby boomers, younger pet owners worry more that they may need to spend less on pet food and treats in 2022 or change to a less expensive brand. In a November 2021 survey by the American Pet Products Association, distinct generational differences arose related to economic issues. The percentage of millennials and Gen Z concerned how finances will affect … [Read more...]
3 key factors led to a record-setting 2021 holiday season
As economic and production factors from agriculture affect animal health potential in food animal markets, retail trends are reflected in the companion animal health marketplace. Katherine Cullen shares the key factors that carried through 2021 into the holiday season along with a look at the multichannel shopping journey: Early shopping The price was right Stores … [Read more...]
It’s not just you.
Learn how your focus is more scattered now and ways to get it back. Your attention didn’t collapse; it was stolen by big and powerful forces. You haven’t become weak. You’ve been hacked.” - Johann Hari Brain fog is a common theme in discussions with animal health pros as they envision an end to pandemic interruptions and adjust their 2022 behaviors. Hari shares five key … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – February 3, 2022
Last week’s most read post USDA grants emergency-use authorization for RHDV2 as virus spreads. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, Jan 27, 2022. Link. =========================== Losing our cookies? Source: Media Post, January 20, 2022. Link. B2C brands are dealing with the impending loss of third-party data … [Read more...]
Breeding pint-sized Herefords
We thought this was a fun and interesting departure from most cattle articles we reference. Cow size is often a subject cattlemen discuss. Size is important in mini-Hereford breeding, as well. The origin of the miniature Hereford is the original English Hereford, which is a horned breed. Bred to hold the size to about two-thirds of traditional Hereford stock, the minis could … [Read more...]
New study examines social behaviors of dairy calves
This article adds to the recent post on calves referencing articles in the Bovine Veterinarian. Link. A new study by researchers at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada) examines young dairy calves’ motivation to seek companionship from other calves. The study results indicate that young calves are motivated for full social contact . . .“ Source: The … [Read more...]
The energy field of horses
In this age of mindfulness and stress reduction guidance, Joan Ranquet’s article caught our attention. She explains, we all are electromagnetic beings with an energy field around us often called the aura. Frequently referenced as a “sixth sense,” this phenomenon is also called morphic resonance or swarm theory, she writes. Most of us have experienced this with a dog or cat, if … [Read more...]
Raising emus and emus as pets (video)
Sharing her experiences with raising emus, Alexandra Douglas found that emus make the best pets when they are young. Emus are very dangerous if you do not understand them, she says. Male birds are friendlier at least until breeding season. Emus are sociable creatures, they like water and do best with at least one other emu in their flock. Source: Backyard Poultry, February … [Read more...]
Chatfields chat about itchy pets
Complimentary Sponsored Content We’re reposting this episode. Highly viewed in early December 2021, it is timely as winter days lengthen ahead of spring. Dr. Jen the Vet and Dr. Jason Chatfield are joined in the Chat Room by Millie Rosales, DVM, DACVD, to discuss common reasons pets itch. Skin issues are always in the top 10 reasons pet owners seek veterinary care. Note … [Read more...]
6 red flags your body is breaking down from overwork
“Death by overwork” doesn’t happen overnight; it slowly accumulates over years, shares Christina Ro. Quoting the Cleveland Clinic, she shares some of the bigger red flags of an unhealthy work-life balance: You’ve stopped taking care of yourself Your sleep is out of whack You’re skipping meals or not eating enough You’re not getting in enough exercise to balance … [Read more...]
Empathy app can make tough times less so
Beth Z, a professional speaker, author and nerd, is known for her fun presentations that help people better use technology. After losing her mother-in-law last Thanksgiving, she discovered empathy (Link), an app to help after a loss. Source: Your Nerdy Best Friend, February 1, 2020. Link. The app helps with: Funeral Arrangement Details Obituary Writing Family Task … [Read more...]