This piece will elicit innumerable “awes,” especially from those interested in animal rescue. Josephine and Terry Brenna-Kuss have run an orphanage for joeys on the lonely South Australian section of the long Stuart Highway since 2008. Most come from females that were struck by cars or trucks. The video clips will bring smiles, too. Source: New York Times, June 26, 2017 … [Read more...]
Cage-free not necessarily better for hens
John Brunnquell runs Egg Innovations, the largest free-range layer operation in the industry. It didn’t come naturally. He grew up on a traditional chicken farm and can substantiate the benefits of caged egg production. However, he’s spent the last two decades perfecting his current operation. He and other industry experts admit that cage-free egg production still has a long … [Read more...]
Cable reigns no more
The largest cable TV providers in the U.S. now have fewer combined subscribers than the single streaming service, Netflix. Cable TV had 48.6 million subscribers to 50.9 million for Netflix. The lead would be even greater if other streaming services were factored in. Source: Quartz, June 16, 2017. But Netflix’s subscriber base is still climbing, while the pay-TV market is … [Read more...]
OSU to host canine athletic program August 1 – 3
The number-one killer of all law enforcement canines in the U.S. last year was directly related to the lack of adequate conditioning and resistance to heat stress. To help address this, Oklahoma State University’s Center for Veterinary Health Sciences will offer its Advanced Canine Athletic Program August 1 through 3. Presenters include: Randel Roy; Sean Peck, DVM and Michael … [Read more...]
Dog owners walk more, are healthier than non-owners.
New research suggests that one benefit of owning a dog is walking more than if you don’t own one. In a study published last week in the journal BMC Public Health, dog owners walked an average of 22 minutes more per day compared to people who don’t own a dog. Plus, the exercise was at a moderate pace, getting and keeping heart rates up. Source: NPR, July 12, 2017. The … [Read more...]
Fresno Humane Animal Services pros rescue hundreds
More than 900 birds, rabbits, piglets, guinea pigs and other small animals were discovered in the back of a truck last Friday in Fresno. The temperature hit 107 degrees in the truck where the animals had no access to water. Animal control officers acted quickly. Amazingly, they only found 18 dead animals. Source: Los Angeles Times, July 20, 2017 (paywall) and Fresno Bee, … [Read more...]
Biosecurity helps prevent disease on dairy goat farms
Small ruminants are susceptible to a long list of diseases. Holly Neaton, DVM, offers some practical tips for keeping diseases off of dairy goat operations. As she points out, getting rid of a disease is harder and more expensive than preventing it. Source: Progressive Dairyman, June 12, 2017, page 50. Try to avoid purchasing pregnant animals when you have pregnant animals … [Read more...]
Millenials need to use the phone – to talk
It is commonly perceived that most millennials have mastered function on today’s smartphones, except for one. Using these phones to have a conversation seems like a foreign concept to many. Today’s communication technology offers several ways to bypass having conversations – conversations that could strengthen business relationships. Millenials or not – proper phone use is a … [Read more...]
11 things you should know about dogs and fireworks
Independence Day celebrations are a couple weeks away. The time to prepare for the anxiety dogs experience from the sounds of fireworks is now, not then. Our friends at Purina developed 11 common-sense tips that are useful fodder for websites, blogs and newsletter. Hurry and share. July 4th is almost here. Source: Purina. Before July 4th rolls around, here are eleven things … [Read more...]
Whisker fatigue isn’t funny
While it may be a beneficial term for cat food makers and cat food bowl manufacturers, whisker fatigue appears to be an actual diagnosis. When cats must eat from deep bowls and their whiskers rub against the sides, it can be a stressful experience. In turn, they may paw their food to the floor or become irritable during mealtimes. Source: New York Times, June 5, 2017 … [Read more...]
Don’t hug your chickens
America’s love affair with backyard chickens is making a few of us sick. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says eight salmonella outbreaks linked to petting pet poultry have occurred in the U.S. this year. They’ve sickened more than 370 people in 47 states, 71 of whom had to be hospitalized. No one has died this year – yet. Last year, three people died … [Read more...]
It’s aliiiive!
Nature can be beautiful. Or, disgusting. Be your own judge as you watch this snake throw up. Source: Washington Post, June 3, 2017 (paywall). The footage is slimy, gross and absolutely compelling – like watching some mixture of a prison break and an alien birth. … [Read more...]
Frequent-flyer program for furry and feathered friends launches
Skypets, what may be the first airline loyalty program that lets pets earn rewards, was launched last month by Korean Air. Members of the airline’s loyalty reward program can sign up their pets to earn stamps. Source: Los Angeles Times, June 3, 2017 (paywall). For every domestic fight the pet has flown within Korea, the animal gets one stamp. An animal can get two stamps … [Read more...]
Feline hyperthyroidism reaching epidemic levels
When Dr. Mark Peterson started veterinary school in 1972, feline hyperthyroidism didn’t seem to exist. He treats nothing else today. This article traces the beginnings of research into the condition, to the treatment and to the links it may have to our own health. Source: New York Times Magazine, May 16, 2017 (paywall). A steady drumbeat of research links the strange feline … [Read more...]
A good veterinarian-producer relationship is priceless
The Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) has increased interest in creating or improving relationships with veterinarian. Joe Paschal, an Extension livestock specialist with Texas A&M University, offers some down-to-earth perspective about the value these relationships can offer. Source: Progressive Cattleman, May 16, 2017. Since your veterinarian is not as familiar with … [Read more...]
One-legged sleeping mystery solved
Atlanta biologists Young-Hui Chang of Georgia Tech and Lena ting of Emory University wanted to find out how Flamingos can sleep standing on one leg. Their findings that were published in Biology Letters this week are surprising. Source: The Washington Post, May 24, 2017 (paywall). The duo began examining them, when something happened. Chang held one of the cadavers up by … [Read more...]
The doctor will see your iguana now
Not every clinic deals with cows, canines or kittens. Veterinarians at the Center for Avian and Exotic Medicine In New York City see everything from iguanas to guinea pigs and even kinkajous. This is an interesting, short read with insight into what goes on in a practice specializing in exotic species. Source: The New York Times, May 12, 2017 (paywall). The surgery ground … [Read more...]
Yawning promotes social bonding between dogs and humans
We yawn. So do bears, bats, guinea pigs, dogs and others. It’s a mystery as to why. In fact, it’s likely the least understood common human behavior. It’s also a contagious behavior that may have social and communicative functions. Source: NPR, May 15, 2017. But recently, two more species have been added to the list of contagious yawners: dogs and chimpanzees. When two … [Read more...]
You’ll never bitch again about walking your dog
Payam Mohebi, the star veterinarian of Tehran, Iran, is running for city council and the election is this Friday. He may win or get 60 lashes. Mohebi is shown on campaign posters with a stray dog. Ruling Iranian clerics consider dogs impure. Taking one for a walk can get an owner arrested and the dog seized and perhaps killed. Source: New York Times, May 16, 2017 … [Read more...]
Rented chickens hatch backyard bonanza
If a client asks where to buy some chicks so they can start gathering eggs in the backyard, renting may be a better option. Yes, renting. Rent the Chicken was launched in 2013 and has been expanding since. The service offers two to four layers, feed, a waterer and a coop for a specified rental period. When the time is up, its personnel pick things up. Source: John Deere’s … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – 6 milestones for backyard chickens
The backyard chicken craze is growing rapidly. Veterinarians and retail associates are frequently challenged to help new chicken growers succeed. Purina offered this content promotionally, but we found the life stages information worthy of referencing. Source: Morning Ag Clips, April 25, 2017. As we get started on the journey with baby chicks, it’s important to look forward … [Read more...]
The next crises in rural America may be mental health
Mental illness isn’t confined within city limits. One in five residents of nonmetropolitan counties in the U.S. had some form of mental illness in 2015, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration. Plus, 1.4 million non-metro residents had serious thoughts of suicide in the same year. Increased opioid addiction and prescription drug abuse are just two … [Read more...]
Cows witnessing wolf attacks suffer PTSD-like symptoms
Cows that have witnessed wolf attack display physical signs associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A new study from Oregon State University affirms this and is also the first study to reveal PTSD biomarkers in cattle. The findings have been published in the Journal of Animal Science. Source: Progressive Cattleman, May 4, 2017. Wolf attacks create bad … [Read more...]
6 antibiotic myths explained
The antibiotic tools used in cattle today are likely the same ones you’ll have for the rest of your life. That’s the advice from Mike Apley, veterinarian and professor of production medicine and clinical pharmacology at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University. He’s not saying antibiotic resistance is threatening the cattle business. Instead he says it’s … [Read more...]
5 essential questions in life
James Ryan, dean of the Harvard Graduate School of Education, gave a 2016 commencement address that went viral. Lessons he presented are enjoying a resurgence of late. Ryan notes that if we regularly ask five questions, our chances for personal and professional success and happiness are higher than if we don’t ask them. The questions are: What? (seeks clarification) I … [Read more...]
Be aware of the causes of bloating
Spring pastures are greening up. Cattle grazing these lush grasses, especially immature legumes, are susceptible to bloat. It can occur in as little as 15 minutes or nearly two days after grazing. It can also be painfully deadly. Experts from Purdue University’s agronomy and animal sciences departments offer 10 tips to help avoid bloat, as well as a video showing how to tube a … [Read more...]
Badger buries bovine – must-see video
An American badger in Utah had an 11-day beef feast last fall after burying what appears to be a dead calf. Badgers have been observed burying small animals, which slows decomposition and allows them to be eaten later. This is the first time one burying something so big has been documented. Source: Quartz, April 3, 2017. I was really shocked and amazed, and really excited,” … [Read more...]
5 myths about the circus
Ringling Bros. announced the closure of its circus earlier this year and the Big Apple Circus filed for bankruptcy in in 2016. Janet M. Davis, a professor of history and American studies at the University of Texas at Austin, debunks five myths about the circus and offers a perspective of how animal rights activity has affected the industry and society in general. Source: … [Read more...]
Backyard chicken basics always in order
Interest in raising chickens in backyards continues to grow. Bryant Gill with the Farm Report with Pam Jahnke interviews Ron Kaine, a University of Wisconsin Extension poultry specialist, to learn about backyard chicken basics. Source: Farm Report with Pam Jahnke, April 4, 2017. I usually tell people to choose one that you like because that’s going to make it more … [Read more...]
World Veterinary Day is April 29
Antimicrobial Resistance – From Awareness to Action, is the theme of World Veterinary Day, which will be celebrated April 29 this year. The celebration of the profession began in 2000 and is scheduled annually for the last Saturday in April. Source: Pork Network, March 21, 2017. Veterinary Services including veterinarians and veterinary paraprofessionals have a key part to … [Read more...]