There’s nearly always a reason behind caterwauling, the higher pitched, drawn-out, melodic yowling sounds cats sometimes express, writes Angie Bailey. She shares some reasons for it, and what might help remedy the situation. Cats caterwaul: because they’re in pain as a signal they want to breed to alert us to outside activity when they are feeling insecure or … [Read more...]
Planning for a hobby that costs almost as much as children
Equestrians say that once they fall in love with a horse, there’s no turning back. The total cost per year for a horse is about $3,876, according to a University of Maine study. Over 30 years, an equestrian can pay out more than $116,200. Source: Bank Investment Consultant, September 11, 2018. Link. While the expenses related to horse ownership may make some financial … [Read more...]
Store welcomes (leashed) horse inside (includes photos)
This will make you smile! A Tractor Supply store in Elk City, Oklahoma, welcomed a gentleman and his horse to the store. [The] gentleman walks into Tractor Supply and says, “I'm a senior, here to buy feed for my senior horse. Can he come in?’” Robin Morris said. Source: the dodo, September 7, 2018. Link. Tractor Supply allows any pet into the store as long as they’re on a … [Read more...]
Digging into compost intoxication
Compost piles in backyards are often tempting to pets. However, until composting materials have fully decomposed they can be toxic to pets who ingest the mixtures. Frank Davis and Laura Stern, DVM, share what to do when dealing with compost toxicity. Source: Today’s Veterinary Nurse, Fall 2018. Link. Treatment is aimed at controlling clinical signs. Compost intoxication can … [Read more...]
Individual approaches best for post-appointment follow-up
Research uncovers that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to communicating with pet owners after a clinic visit. There are some indications of when clients want follow-up in the study referenced. For the rest, maybe it is time to JUST ASK! Source: VETTED, May 10, 2018. Link. If we leave it up to guesswork, then we have a 50-50 shot at getting it right. But if we ask … [Read more...]
Kibble size matters to dogs
New research reveals data contrary to common beliefs that smaller dogs prefer smaller kibble and larger breeds larger kibble. The research by AFB International was conducted to help customers make informed decisions about their dog food brands. . . . the research found small, mid-size and large dogs preferred large-size kibble to small-size kibble. Source: Petfood Industry, … [Read more...]
Steve Dale: Dog flu is relentless
When dog flu hits a community, all exposed dogs – except those who recently had the flu or those vaccinated – will get the virus, writes Steve Dale. Around 25 percent of dogs who get the virus don’t show any signs or symptoms. But, they’re just as contagious as sick dogs. Numbers below only hint at the real story. What we do know is that around two to five percent of dogs do … [Read more...]
Vetfolio announces new education programs
New programs offer free education. Minimizing Preoperative Vomiting and Maximizing Post-operative Care, sponsored by Zoetis <link> This two-part podcast series discusses strategies for preoperative management in dogs with an in-depth discussion on the role of a veterinary nurse in this clinical scenario. Dealing with Ixodes scapularis and Lyme disease … [Read more...]
AAHA announces pet insurance plan and new board of directors
Congratulations to the new AAHA board members whose leadership began following the inaugural Connexity conference. AAHA also announced The AAHA Pet Health Insurance Program, offered by Petplan. The AAHA plan seeks to provide more options for pet owners seeking to manage the cost of veterinary care and is specifically designed to help clients pay for unexpected expenses for … [Read more...]
Nicely done, Beef Checkoff (includes video)
The popular “Beef, its what’s for dinner!,” campaign has been retooled and updated to be more relevant to today’s consumer. We think animal health pros will enjoy seeing the videos of the new ads and components. Commercials range in length from six seconds for sites like YouTube to a traditional 30 second ad for streaming services. Source: Drover’s, September 14, 2018. … [Read more...]
VFD audits. What to expect
Global VetLink recently held a webinar featuring presenters representing industry segments affected by the expanded veterinary feed directive (VFD) rules. General consensus surrounded rules and records. Follow the rules, keep good records and you shouldn’t have to worry about FDA audits John Maday presents information about the VFD and inspections in a question and answer … [Read more...]
More reasons for an annual exam
Melissa Beall, DVM, PhD, explains why regular, comprehensive screening is critical and what veterinarians can do to help keep dogs healthy. All dogs need to be screened annually for exposure to infected ticks Source: Veterinary Practice News, June 20, 2018. Link. A new study . . . showed two key findings: 1) dogs with Ehrlichia antibodies in E. canis-endemic areas have a … [Read more...]
Babies may be healthier with a pet around
Steve Dale reviews research about the microbiome benefits of raising babies in the company of animals. We urge animal health pros to share this information in their various networks and social media. While previous studies have established that reducing allergen exposure in the home helps control established asthma, the new findings suggest that exposure to certain allergens … [Read more...]
Deciding when a pet’s behavior is a problem
Zazie Todd, PhD, explores behavior issues. Some we find endearing, some we tolerate,and some we struggle with. But she asks, “How do we know when a behavior issue is a problem?” Referencing an Italian study, she shares the three behaviors people were more likely to see as a problem: aggression towards other dogs, being fearful on walks and aversion to strangers. For many … [Read more...]
Watch out for “The iPhone Effect”
As a manager, when you talk with employees do you incessantly check your cellphone? Or, are the employees looking at theirs? “The iPhone Effect: The Quality of In-Person Social Interactions in the Presence of Mobile Devices,” was published in the journal, “Environment and Behavior.” It examined the relationship between the presence of mobile devices during social interactions … [Read more...]
Changing attitudes toward fish, the forgotten farmed animal
One of AHD’s objectives is to present information for you to consider in a neutral environment. We believe these articles are important for animal health pros. It’s time to reconsider how we think of fish and take a fresh look at how they are treated. Fish are the most utilized animals on Earth. Their numbers are hard to know. Exactly how many fish are killed for food … [Read more...]
Clean meat? It may not be that simple
Dave Sjeklocha, DVM lives and works in cattle country. He thoughtfully writes about test tube meat, technological challenges, current production methods and other changes that need considering during the development of this potential resource. Receiving support from the likes of billionaires Bill Gates and Richard Branson, cultured meat has certainly garnered … [Read more...]
10 new AAHA accredited practices from 8 states
Congratulations to the latest group of veterinary hospitals to achieve AAHA accreditation! These teams have reached the highest standards in veterinary medicine. Newly accredited practices will value sales representatives who take the time to understand the accreditation process and how they can service the newly aligned veterinary team more effectively and … [Read more...]
Sponsored content: Recently seen in AAHA NEWStat
We’re sharing sponsored content from NEWStat, one of several publications available from AAHA Press, the publishing arm of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). New study shows link the evolution of feline hypertension, Boehringer Ingelheim, September 1, 2018. Link. New study shows link between ticks and kidney disease, September 1, 2018. Link. Guide to … [Read more...]
New thinking about cribbing
Most owners want to stop their horses from cribbing. This is easier said than done. Cribbing has been a challenge for centuries with no known reason for this behavior. The horse places his upper teeth firmly on a hard object---be it a fence, stall door, water trough, or anything he can reach---pulls back, arches his neck, and gulps air into the upper part of his esophagus with … [Read more...]
Still plenty of room to improve sharps safety
Equine infectious anemia (EIA) is a virus, similar to human immunodeficiency virus, that spreads through biting flies and cannot be cured. Following an investigation into a Weld County horse that tested positive for EIA on August 24, Keith Roehr, Colorado state veterinarian is now actively quarantining locations in Colorado and searching for approximately 100 horses sent to 20 … [Read more...]
NAVC Resource Library puts product information, detailers, videos, more all in one location
NAVC’s Today’s Veterinary Business is extending its educational efforts to include a handy one-stop website. The Today’s Veterinary Business Resource Library is the next generation of the Vet-Advantage Resource App, part of the Vet-Advantage acquisition by the NAVC in early 2017. More than 30 companies currently have information available on the website including product … [Read more...]
Reviews.com rates pet meal delivery services
Home delivery of dog food continues to grow. Dog owners can now get raw ingredient meal delivery services like their owners get pizza. The team at Reviews.com reviewed canine meal delivery services. They rated variables for customized meals that included: ordering experience, recipe variety, scheduling flexibility, packaging, instructions, ease of serving and … [Read more...]
The skinny on pet supplements
Jackie Brown investigates pet supplements and finds a lot of questions remain. While certain supplements can have a place in joint disease management, some veterinarians are concerned about how they might be perceived by pet owners. Source: Veterinary Practice News, August 23, 2018. Link. Sam Franklin, MS, DVM, PhD, DACVS, DACVSMR, tells clients, “. . . if they can afford to … [Read more...]
Animals served by nonprofit spay-neuter clinics often not vaccinated for rabies
The latest JAVMA is out. The paper <link> profiling spay-neuter clinic clients and pets is of profound interest to animal health pros who sometimes refer to these locations as price competitors. Note the high percentage of animals without basic rabies protection. Respondents indicated that 49% of dogs and 77% of cats had not been examined previously by a veterinarian, … [Read more...]
AAFP releases first cat-specific anesthesia guidelines
The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) has released the profession’s first feline-specific anesthesia guidelines. According to the AAFP, a standardized, evidence-based approach for administering anesthesia helps ensure a patient’s safe and predictable perioperative response and recovery. Empirical evidence shows that cats undergoing anesthesia have a higher … [Read more...]
Crying at work doesn’t need to be a big deal
Crying at work is like the kiss of death for professional women, writes Jeneva Patterson. . . . to cry in front of colleagues, especially male peers or bosses, ranks as one of the most humiliating professional experiences. Patterson explains the crying response rates between men and women and the likelihood that women in the workplace will naturally react to some situations … [Read more...]
Be your own best advocate
Why advocate for yourself? Because, only you know what you really want and need. You are your own best advocate. And, cold hard truth here: If you don't do it, no one else will. Source: Bright Blue Consulting, August 31, 2018. Link. Smart, savvy women are forced to walk a tightrope between their authentic self, the skills they need to deploy to “play in the big leagues” and … [Read more...]
Resources available for those considering veterinary nursing careers
Animal health pros regularly get questioned about where to get a veterinary nursing degree. NAVTA found this resource that indicates Michigan State University, Purdue University and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln as building good career foundations. Source: NAVTA Animal Health Bi-weekly, September 11, 2018. Link. . . . the choices of where to study veterinary technology … [Read more...]
The biggest financial shocks for pet owners
This article paralleled the announcement of AAHA’s Promoting Preventive Care Protocols: Evidence, Enactment, and Economics <link>. Jean Chatzky discusses how to avoid letting a big veterinary bill destroy a family budget. Source: Better, September 6, 2018. Link. . . . while there’s no way to completely eliminate the possibilities of a health catastrophe for your pet, … [Read more...]