Dr. Ryan Baumwart, veterinary cardiologist at Oklahoma State University’s Veterinary Medical Hospital, has placed pacemakers in 23 dogs over the last two years. Five members of the Pacemaker Posse joined Baumwart last spring for a reunion. Some of their stories are shared in this report. Source: Center for Veterinary Health Sciences News, August 22, 2016. Our students can … [Read more...]
Researchers want dogs to live longer
Researchers at the University of Washington are studying what may be done to increase the life expectancy of dogs. Daniel Promislow and pathologist Matt Kaeberlein at the school have started the Dog Aging Project. Guest host Patt Morrison interviews Kaeberlein. Source: KPCC, August 31, 2016. They want to understand how dogs age and explore if medications can help them live … [Read more...]
Cat nutrition is top concern of feline owners
Nutrition is the number one topic that cat owners want to talk about with their veterinarian, according to a Royal Canin survey of 1,001 cat owners. However, the survey showed that three in five cat owners do not regularly take their cats to veterinarians. Compared to dogs, cats are three times as likely to be taken to the vet only when sick. Source: Petfood Industry, August … [Read more...]
Music at work makes a difference
Little research has been done about how music played in retail and office settings affects employees. So, a group of Cornell PhDs recruited 188 undergrads to participate in a voluntary contribution mechanism experiment. It measures and manipulates cooperative behavior among research subjects. One third of the group listened to “happy” music, another third listened to “unhappy” … [Read more...]
Keep pets safe during Labor Day fun
Labor Day is this weekend. It’s great to include pets in the festivities, but remember to take precautions to keep them out of harm’s way. The folks at Pet Poison Helpline offer straightforward safety tips. Source: Pet Poison Helpline. Many people will gather with friends and families and enjoy games, picnics and BBQs outdoors. As always, our furry family members are … [Read more...]
Industry, not activists should establish cage-free definition
Chad Gregory, CEO of the United Egg Producers (UEP), told a group of producers and allied industry representatives that farmers should stop reacting toward cage-free demand. Rather, they should go on the offensive and define what a cage-free system should be. UEP estimates that 190.4 million hens, or about 66 percent of the current national flock, will be required to full … [Read more...]
More dogs prefer praise over food
Those dog treats, coupled with praise for a dog’s job well-done may not be necessary, new research suggests. “Awake Canine fMRI Predicts Dogs’ Preference for Praise Versus Food,” was recently published online in the Journal Social, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience. It confirms more dogs prefer praise over food. Gregory Berns, a neuroscientist with Emory University used an … [Read more...]
VFD tools for clients available for free
Good record-keeping is critical to making the new Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) work well. As veterinarians help clients prepare to implement VFD by January 1, 2017, two new tools can help. Source: Beef, August 4, 2016. (registration required for download) Bill Halfman and Sandy Stuttgen have developed a VFD Order Records Summary Sheet, one a PDF-based download for paper … [Read more...]
7 ways youngsters can succeed with elders
It is common for young people to lead teams that include people older than them. This can cause rifts from older to younger and vice versa. Dan Rockwell says the onus for creating understanding and benefit is mostly on the younger set. Yet, he admits both elders and youngsters may feel the other doesn’t get it. He offers seven great tips to make these relationships … [Read more...]
Preconditioning basics pay off
Cow-calf producers need not worry that their preconditioning program isn’t a mirror image of what’s described in textbooks. Fact is, there is no single definition of a preconditioning program to fit every operation, according to Brad White, DVM and interim director of the Beef Cattle Institute at Kansas State University. Source: Drovers, August 2016. If we properly prepare … [Read more...]
OSU veterinarians save 6-month old Marley
Marley, a six-month old Golden Retriever needed a life-saving procedure. Trouble was, it had never been done before at Oklahoma State University. However, Marley’s owners, Marcene and Fred Warford of Muskogee, OK, had full faith in the OSU team. It was a faith rewarded. Source: NewsOK, August 15, 2016. They found a shunt, a diversion of blood, in Marley’s liver that wasn’t … [Read more...]
Eggs are a victory for the animal welfare movement
In recent years, public attention to eggs and the chickens that make them has grown beyond logical expectations. In fact, nearly 200 companies that include every major grocery and fast food chain have pledged to use only cage-free eggs by 2025. This doesn’t mean life for hens is getting better. In fact, the opposite may be true. Source: Washington Post, August 6, 2016. The … [Read more...]
5 dog illnesses that nutrition affects
There’s no argument that well-balanced diets are fundamental to canine health. This piece offers basics for client reinforcement, good clinic website material and a quick reminder for dog owners to not skimp on food quality. Source: Pet MD. Here are just a few canine health problems seen in dogs that are directly affected by their diet. … [Read more...]
Write smart. Talk smart. Look great.
Despite our best efforts, we all make errors when we write and talk. We often confuse words with their proper meanings. Travis Bradberry, president of TalentSmart, shares 20 words that, when misused, make smart people look silly. Source: Quartz, July 20, 2016. It’s the words that we think we’re using correctly that wreak the most havoc. We throw them around in meetings, … [Read more...]
Racehorse deaths are preventable
Activist Patrick Batuello confirmed 953 horse deaths on America’s horseracing tracks. That statistic doesn’t include all states, nor does it count the number of horses euthanized away from tracks. Batuello, trainers, an owner, a politician and veterinarians recently shared their viewpoints of the U.S. horseracing business with The Washington Post. Shelia Lyons, DVM and founder … [Read more...]
International Assistance Dog Week is August 7 – 13
August 7 – 13 has been noted to honor all the hardworking assistance dogs that help individuals with their disability related limitations. Free materials to promote International Assistance Dog Week are available at assistancedogweek.org. They include a news release, fact sheet, event ideas, web banner ads and a radio public service announcement. Source: … [Read more...]
Livestock need quality water
Cattle need plenty of water, especially during summer months when forages tend to dry out. When levels of dissolved solids, such as iron, sulfates and salts get too high, they can cause decreased water consumption. Performance can suffer. Chance Farmer, cattle consultant, offers ways of testing for dissolved solids in this article. Source: Purina Mills. This is not an issue … [Read more...]
9 abilities show how smart dogs are
Dogs have been domesticated for at least 32,000 years. They’re one of the more popular pets in the U.S. and are in about 44 percent of all households. We all think that our dog is unique. Dr. Brian Hare, professor of cognitive neuroscience at Duke University, shares his observations in his book, “The Genius of Dogs” and as host of the new DogSmarts podcast. Source: Business … [Read more...]
A nudge can change behavior
Can a small, simple adjustment, or nudge, change our behavior for the better? Richard Thaler, a University of Chicago professor who studies behavioral economics and finance, in addition to decision-making psychology believes it can. He’s even written a book titled, Nudge. Source: TED Radio Hour, June 24, 2016, first segment. If you want to encourage people to do something, … [Read more...]
10 things never to say in an email
Email is a great tool, but live conversations or meetings in person are better ways to communicate lengthy points of view or work through emotionally charged discussions. The 10 tips here will come in handy, especially when biting one’s tongue is in order. Source: Forbes, June 12, 2016. There is always a better way to communicate your strong feelings than to dash off an … [Read more...]
Welcome CEVA Animal Health
Animal Health Digest welcomes Ceva Animal Health, LLC, as an official sponsor. Founded in 1999, it is the eighth largest animal health group worldwide. Its expertise centers on pharmacology and biology, supported by teams who meet specific demands of the livestock, poultry, swine, equine and pet sectors. Source: Animal Health Digest, June 15, 2016. With its sponsorship, … [Read more...]
Meet Wayne Pacelle
To some in the animal welfare community, Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States, is equivalent to Prince Charming. To some in livestock production, he’s Satan incarnate. Dan Murphy shares Pacelle’s own words in this five-part series. Source: Drovers CattleNetwork, June 10, 2016. When I started in 2004, I told the [HSUS] board that the … [Read more...]
It’s hot. Pets and hot cars don’t mix.
It’s hot out and summer hasn’t hit yet. Leaving pets in hot cars is a disaster waiting to happen. The AVMA reports that temperatures inside a parked car can rise 20 degrees in only 10 minutes. Not rescuing a dog experiencing discomfort inside a parked car prompted KUSA anchor Kyle Clark to issue an apology – to the dog. Source: Huffington Post, June 11, 2016, KUSA, June 10, … [Read more...]
Read a dog a story
Getting dogs adopted is the goal of the ASPCA on the Upper East Side in New York City. Some dogs are too traumatized to handle human contact. Volunteers reading to them for 20 minutes at a time helps create a connection. Source: New York Times, June 9, 2016. We need to get the dogs comfortable with what they’ll be seeing when they’re put up for adoption,” said Victoria … [Read more...]
Pet-friendly vacation guide
Pets don’t always have to stay behind when owners go on vacation. Folks at Purina have pet traveling tips for those on tight budgets and those who are well-heeled. There are some great ideas for pet owners here. Source: Petcentric Monthly Newsletter, June 2016. To help you get stated planning a great vacation with your pet, we’ve assembled all our best tips and tricks in … [Read more...]
5 freedoms guide animal welfare regulations
Farm animal welfare remains a hot topic. Gabriele Maier, resident veterinarian, with the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, provides a reminder of the five freedoms that guide animal welfare standards. She also offers the National Agricultural Law Center’s web page where you can look up regulations in your own state. Source: Progressive Cattleman, June 2016. The five … [Read more...]
Study suggests dogs were domesticated twice
Science long ago confirmed that humans originated on the African continent. It hasn’t been so kind to dogs. A group of scientists from the University of Oxford are saying evidence now shows that dogs were domesticated in Asia and Europe at different times. Nothing’s confirmed yet, but the study makes for fun discussion with dog owners. Source: New York Times, June 2, … [Read more...]
It’s Adopt-a-Cat Month
Local animal shelters are full of cute, cuddly kittens and mellow older cats ready for new homes. June is Adopt-a-Cat Month. The folks at American Humane Association offer tips for bringing new cats home, posters that can be used in clinics and even computer wallpaper that’s free and ready to use. Source: American Humane Association. Shelter staff are ready to help you … [Read more...]
Watch for heatstroke in rabbits
As weather warms up, be aware that heat can be dangerous to rabbits. They’re more sensitive to it than humans. Source: My House Rabbit. Here are symptoms of heat stroke in rabbits: Reddening of the ears Panting Lethargy Salivating Weakness/slow movement Acting confused Convulsing … [Read more...]
Celebrate National Dairy Month
June is National Dairy Month. There are many ways folks celebrate. It’s likely a dairy practice or customer has an activity going on. Here’s a list of Dairy Month activities for most states. Find out what’s going on in your area. Source: DairyGood by Dairy Management Inc. We’ve highlighted a number of events below from MOOvie nights to dairy galas. Click your state for more … [Read more...]