OPINION Almost every week we see articles promoting using veterinary staff more effectively. It takes time and trust to progressively delegate tasks to professional or support staff. The real-world use of skilled professionals is not plug and play. It is a long-term effort to develop and improve skills of team members at all levels. Liz Hilton Segel discusses the … [Read more...]
Hoo-WHOoo won the 2020 World Nature Photography Awards?
We’ve never met an animal health pro who did not appreciate nature photography. We’re sharing this post first. Enjoy! The mission of the World Nature Photography Awards is to celebrate the world’s best nature photographers while showcasing nature’s beauty to a wider audience. Source: World Nature Photography Awards. Link. In 2021, WNPA will continue to support two climate … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – March 11, 2021
Ionophores help control coccidiosis and more Source: Dairy Herd Management, March 4, 2021. Link. Ionophores promote calf health and performance through a combination of disease control and improved feed efficiency. They also have shown numerous benefits in dry, transition, and lactating cow rations. 5 signs indicate the time to consult a professional obedience … [Read more...]
Will removing dairy cows help stop climate change?
Researchers from Virginia Tech and the U.S. Department of Agriculture recently tested this hypothesis: Eliminate U.S. dairy cows and you’ll lessen climate issues. They found that if the dairy herd were somehow removed from the U.S., greenhouse gas emissions would only be reduced by about 0.7 percent. Milk production contributes approximately 1.3 percent of all U.S. GHG … [Read more...]
Don’t play chicken with your health
The new influx of chicken flocks has put humans, as well as the poultry they care for, at risk of salmonella sickness. It is alarming that 28 percent of the reported salmonella infections are from children younger than 5 years of age. Seventy four percent of reported salmonella cases involved contact with poultry. Source: Hobby Farms, March 3, 2021. Link. The primary key to … [Read more...]
Colorado State University offers foaling course for owners, managers and students
Foaling and Foal Care is a continuing education course designed to provide horse owners, broodmare managers and foaling attendants an overview of normal foaling, dystocia, routine care of the newborn foal and other important topics. Recommended participants are those responsible for attending pregnant mares through the birth process. The virtual curriculum provides guidelines … [Read more...]
Legal guide to horse care for horse owners
There’s more to owning a horse than feed, water and housing. Horse care administration and documentation is also important. By having accurate and available emergency information, by having appropriate vaccination and health policies, by confirming insurance coverage, and by keeping a medication logbook, horse owners, barn owners, and trainers can protect themselves and their … [Read more...]
Equine asthma, taking their breath away
Equine asthma is an umbrella term to cover previously diagnosed conditions of inflammatory airway disease and recurrent airway obstruction. It is a non-infectious inflammatory disease of the lungs of horses and a lifelong condition for individual horses. The role of infectious diseases in equine asthma is still under review. Source: Veterinary Advantage, February 2021. … [Read more...]
Landrace Bankhar dogs being redeveloped to strengthen Mongolian nomad lifestyle
Varieties or types of plants or animals that have developed over time to suit the conditions of a local area are called landrace. For 15,000 years, Bankhar dogs protected livestock and livelihoods on the Mongolian steppe. Nearly lost, the revered dogs are making a slow and intentional comeback. Source: Atlas Obscura, February 23, 2021. Link. Also see: Bankhar Dog … [Read more...]
National Pet Dental Health month is over. What’s the message now?
Opinion A leading veterinary professional is focusing on oral care at home. But are clients getting the message? A recent experience indicates oral care is not top of mind*. Johnathon R. (Bert) Dodd, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC, shares the importance of oral health care for pets. He focuses on gingivitis, daily oral care at home and annual teeth cleanings by veterinarians. . . . … [Read more...]
Temple Grandin, PhD, MS, featured in NEWStat about dogs, fear, and socialization
"Dogs today have more fears than they’ve ever had.” – Temple Grandin, PhD Tony McReynolds shares parts of a discussion with Grandin. Her comments about dog socialization form important considerations for the modern dog. Source: AAHA NEWStat, March 4, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Antimicrobial resistance effort has new PCR tool
Complimentary Commercial Content The major drawbacks to generic PCR testing in the clinical setting are lack of pathogen viability indicators and no method for assessing antibiotic sensitivity of the offending agent. Outsourcing PCR testing often delays test results by four or more days. Vetranomix brings the first quantitative PCR testing capability for a broad range of … [Read more...]
Pig flu antibodies could guide human flu treatment
The Pirbright Institute has generated the first pig antibodies against swine influenza that protect against infection and recognize the same parts of the flu virus as human antibodies. This work reinforces the use of pigs as powerful models to predict human responses in infection and vaccination, according to Professor John Hammond. Source: PORK, March 5, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
How tuberculosis reshaped our immune systems
Tuberculosis has killed more people in the past 2000 years than any other disease, and it has sickened many more, writes Ann Gibbons. Archaeogenetic research helps identify which TB pathogens that have changed our DNA and made us more resilient. “Infectious diseases are the strongest evolutionary pressure humans have to face. . .” Source: Science, March 4, 2021. … [Read more...]
Complex simplicity
Leadership is one of the most written-about topics in the world. Some present it as complex, while others present it as simple. It is both. Source: LinkedIn Pulse, February 10, 2021. Link. That means, in a business setting, it is important to remember that you work for your employees, they do not work for you. Your job is to build your team, provide value, and give them … [Read more...]
Meeting inventory needs a year later
Opinion Looking ahead through July, can you trust purchase history and forecasts?” – Kirk Augustine ABSOLUTELY NOT! The pandemic shutdown began a year ago. Replenishment slowed to a near halt. Inventory items on hand were motionless until late May or June. Now a year later, our industry has adjusted through curbside services, tele-everything and animal owners have migrated … [Read more...]
Beyond burned out and beyond self-care
Today’s level of burnout is the result of an existing problem made exponentially worse, says Jennifer Moss. The pandemic was an accelerant. Combating burnout may feel like an impossible task, especially after months of emotional fatigue, but if you’re armed with the right tools, it can be easier than you might think. Despite how massive the burnout problem is, it’s never too … [Read more...]
E-Commerce leads 2020 channel growth in human, pet spaces
Before you label this post as more of the same, consider the information in the article. The top online searches related to pet products are: Calming products Digestive support Energy support Probiotics Source: Petfood Industry, February 2021. Link. Three pet food companies were among the top 10 e-commerce brands in 2020.” INSIGHTS: Whether you play in the … [Read more...]
More pets, fewer vets. Now what?
A staggering one in four employees plans to leave their employer after the Covid-19 pandemic subsides, according to a new survey. Already short of qualified workers, the veterinary practice industry faces big hurdles according to Bob Lester, DVM: Cost of care Cost of education Wellness in both people and pets AND The workforce shortage Source: Vet … [Read more...]
All segments of industry should agree – cruelty, neglect are NEVER acceptable
This blog post by Temple Grandin, PhD, MS, Colorado State University animal welfare specialist, is worth your time, no matter which segment of the industry you represent. It is time for us all to agree on these issues. Animal welfare and neglect are important considerations for all animal health pros regardless of the animal species involved.” It needs to be made very clear … [Read more...]
Preparing for future disruption
Whether we have another Covid-19 surge or not, veterinary practices can use the experiences of the last year to prepare for what is ahead. Many of the adjustments made are likely to become part of normal services. MWI Animal Health provides an outline of items to consider. Hybrid service models using digital tools are predicted to continue in animal health as in human … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – March 4, 2021
Why does my dog stare at me? Source: PetMD, July 6, 2020. Link. A stare is normal dog behavior that is used to communicate some type of emotion, want or need. Why do cats knead? Source: PetMD, January 21, 2021. Link. Whether a cat is making biscuits to show affection or to claim a person as their own, kneading is a natural, instinctual and common … [Read more...]
How to respond when an employee discloses a mental health condition
It takes a lot of courage for an employee to disclose they have a mental health condition. Navigate the conversation carefully. Start by thanking them for telling you, but don’t make a big deal about the disclosure. It’s important to treat it like you would any other medical issue. It’s important to keep in mind that the employee likely had to overcome a lot of fear to talk … [Read more...]
Blood in a chicken egg doesn’t mean it’s fertilized
Blood in a chicken egg is often believed to signify it is fertile. This isn’t true. In fact, the true sign that an egg is fertile is a white “bullseye” on the yolk. The blood spot is only a ruptured vessel and they are perfectly edible. Source: Backyard Poultry, February 22, 2021. Link. Different colored chicken eggs all taste the same and look the same inside. The taste of … [Read more...]
Understanding insulin resistance in horses
Complimentary Sponsored Content from Kentucky Performance Products, LLC. One of the more common metabolic problems horses develop involves insulin, the hormone that enables the body to use glucose. This edition of EQUUS Extra explores how insulin resistance develops in horses, what can be done about it and how this problem increases the risk of laminitis and other … [Read more...]
How to save wildlife by changing a cat’s diet
Researchers have found an alternative way to prevent cats from decimating wildlife. It starts with dietary changes and increased object play. Nutrition seems to have some bearing on a cat’s tendency to kill things, and some cats that hunt may need something extra.” - Robbie A. McDonald, study ecologist Source: Pet Business, March 2, 2021. Link. INSIGHTS: Based on these … [Read more...]
Human grade dog chow may aid in digestion
Opinion We noticed this article in VPN and an industry colleague’s post. The second one made me look for something about consumable nutrients instead of fecal volume comparisons. It is important to review the study abstract <Link> to understand the study hypothesis. We did not access the full study. A new comparison study out of the University of Illinois has found … [Read more...]
Effectiveness of oral lotilaner
There are some smells one never forgets. The smell of sarcoptic mange in the crusty, scabbed skin stage is one of mine. The Vet Candy team shared promising results of a study using lotilaner to treat confirmed cases of sarcoptic mange. Source: Vet Candy, February 22, 2021. Link. The results showed that pruritus resolved after two weeks. The cutaneous score was also reduced … [Read more...]
The nose really knows! A personal experience with a new pup.
Opinion includes Complimentary Commercial Content Ceva Animal Health U.S. was a founding sustaining sponsor during Animal Health Digest’s early years. Back then, we offered AHD readers resources on semiochemicals and pheromones, including the vomeronasal organ, and how pheromone science can provide options to reduce the negative effects of emotional responses in our … [Read more...]
AAHA and AAFP release updated feline life stage guidelines to the veterinary community
Our industry guidelines require updating as we understand more about the animals we live with and provide with care. New updates for individual felines are found in the 2021 AAHA/AAFP Feline Life Stage Guidelines. The Guidelines are provided jointly by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP). The new updates … [Read more...]