Should you keep pushing yourself when your mind is telling you to slow down? Scientists believe they’ve found what’s happening in your brain after a hard day of thinking <Link>. What is happening, writes Jason Feifer, is not pretty. It's not an energy problem. It's a brain problem. They are not computers that work forever . . . our minds need a rest.” When our brains … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – August 18, 2022
Last week’s most read posts – 10 years and counting elevating care for cats. Link. Get ready! All livestock antibiotics will be prescription-only in 2023. Link. Changes coming to compounded animal health medication. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, August 11, 2022. Link. =================================== Dog … [Read more...]
Upcoming leadership program for STEM professionals
K-State Olathe is offering a leadership series designed to help attendees improve their management skills. Source: K-State Olathe. Link. Participants will discover their own strengths and communications style, learn conflict resolution skills, understand how to connect with team members across differences, and develop future-focused strategies to achieve lasting results. … [Read more...]
Allen D. Leman Swine Conference slated for September 17-20.
The 2022 Leman Conference will feature sessions covering everything from foreign animal disease and biosecurity to Prop 12 and gene editing for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome. Internationally acclaimed for bringing science-driven solutions to the complex challenges facing the industry, the event garners hundreds of participants from over 20 countries each … [Read more...]
Prussic acid toxicity risk, a problem in drought areas, after rains
Clark Roberts shares the importance of keeping an eye on cattle that graze where Johnsongrass is present, due to the risk of prussic acid toxicity. Anything that physically stresses Johnsongrass, such as drought in summer or freezing in the fall, can increase the amount of prussic acid in this invasive forage plant. Secondly, with rain after drought, or warm temperatures after … [Read more...]
Preventing parasites from peaking this fall
Complimentary Sponsored Content Videos made by industry partners allow for a fresh approach to seemingly age-old discussions.” – Kirk Augustine Fall deworming can setup cattle for a healthier, more productive winter. Boehringer Ingelheim Cattle Health shares three tips for creating a successful, cost-effective program in an informative and easy to share You Tube … [Read more...]
U.S. hog production: Rising output and changing trends in productivity growth
Opinion Consider a quick scan of the latest hog production report from USDA’s Economic Research Service. Beyond reading the simple summary <Link>, scan the full report introduction and conclusions <Link> to better understand how this animal health segment has met challenges and continued to thrive. The report shows productivity growth and structural change, … [Read more...]
Pit viper envenomation in a dog
A venomous bite is called an envenomation. Venomous snakes found in the U.S. include rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths/water moccasins and coral snakes. Each year, an estimated 7,000 to 8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes in the U.S., and about five of those people die <Link>. According to the Morris Animal Foundation, approximately 150,000 dogs and cats in … [Read more...]
Living with the Budweiser Clydesdales
Warm Springs Ranch sits just off Interstate 70 halfway between Kansas City and St Louis, Missouri. Amy Trout manages the ranch home where most of the Budweiser Clydesdales live. She shared what her job is like overseeing the horses' care and breeding with Insider’s Asonta Benetti. If you’ve not toured the Clydesdales’ home, it is worth the trip! Budweiser has been using … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – August 11, 2022
Last week’s most read posts Potentially deadly bacteria been found in U.S. soil and water for first time. Link. Last AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, August 4, 2022. Link. =================================== AAVMC statement on workforce; July 2022 Source: American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges, July 2022. Link. The AAVMC … [Read more...]
Tips for controlling flies in livestock herds
Includes Commercial References Flies are a problem wherever you find them. For beef producers, there are four types that impact livestock herd health and productivity: houseflies, horn flies, stable flies and face flies. These are the same flies drawn to garbage, pet feces, roadkill, compost bins, backyard chicken coops and our outdoor activities that include food. Kansas … [Read more...]
Seasonality and geography of diabetes mellitus in dogs
Sharing key points from a published research study involving nearly 1,000 dogs with diabetes mellitus, Vet Candy highlighted: Dogs were diagnosed with DM significantly more in the winter and northern USA compared to all other seasons and all other geographic regions, respectively. The prevalence of juvenile onset among dogs with DM was 2.8%. The proportion of dogs … [Read more...]
Pet food growth may outstrip animal protein supply
Demand from dog, cat and other pet food industries for animal proteins may surpass supply from the United States’ agricultural system, according to researchers from Kansas State University. The units of pet food produced in the U.S. have been growing at a faster rate than animals slaughtered for human consumption. This is significant because if these growth rates continue … [Read more...]
IVPA Summit takes place August 25
The Independent Veterinary Practitioners Association has scheduled a day of learning tailored to helping independent veterinary hospital owners and managers improve efficiencies, leverage technology to their advantage, and improve the bottom line. The 2nd Annual IPVA Summit will kick off Thursday, August 25, the day before Fetch KC Registration is $125 for IVPA Members and … [Read more...]
Get ready! All livestock antibiotics will be prescription-only in 2023.
The clock is ticking. Start now to educate producers ahead of this important transition to livestock antibiotics being available by prescription-only status. The new rule covers injectable tylosin, injectable and intramammary penicillin, injectable and oral tetracycline, sulfadimethoxine and sulfamethazine, and cephapirin and cephapirin benzathine intramammary tubes. Also, … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – August 4, 2022
Last week’s most read posts The oral microbiome, new in the clinical practice of dentistry. Link. Grief balloon ends up scaring a pony. Link. The all-important pre-purchase exam of a horse. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, July 28, 2022. Link. ========================================= AVMA delegates pass policies … [Read more...]
Heat stress negatively affects bull fertility
It’s hot and it hurts bulls’ fertility. A bull’s ability to produce quality quantities of semen is important to successful breeding and rebreeding programs. If heat stressed, bulls could have lower sperm concentrations than normal. Plus, heat stressed bulls produce semen of lower quality than bulls who weren’t heat stressed. Source: Progressive Cattle, July 19, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Anthrax confirmed in Colorado
The Colorado State Veterinarian's office has confirmed the first cases of anthrax in cattle in Colorado since 2012. The herds were located in Sedgwick County in the northeast corner of the state. Anthrax can occur naturally in Colorado's soil. Bacterial spores can lie dormant in the ground for decades and can emerge in greater concentrations after rainstorms, flooding or … [Read more...]
Protecting the swine herd
Complimentary Commercial Content Companies serving the swine industry take pig health as seriously as producers. The resources and industry support they collectively provide is important to animal health, production profitability, food safety as well as many One Health concerns. We’re sharing a recent YouTube video from Boehringer Ingelheim Swine Health, U.S. We believe … [Read more...]
Anaplasmosis: not “if” but “when” in some cattle herds
Anaplasmosis is a common disease with worldwide distribution in cattle. It is transmitted through tick and fly bites , as well as blood contaminated instruments like needles, tattoo tools, castration equipment and dehorning instruments. Once an animal becomes infected, it is infected for life. Successful antibiotic therapy curing the clinical signs of infection results in a … [Read more...]
Destroy a dairy cow in three months
A dairy cow can be destroyed in three months with worn or incorrect milking system liners and poor hygiene. Aging liners are the single biggest cause of chronic mastitis in herds. Multiple studies prove if dairy farmers use old liners on fresh cows, the damage to teat-ends starts immediately.” Source: The Bullvine, August 2, 2022. Link. The liner is the interface between the … [Read more...]
Goat hoof problems
Caprines, like their bovine cousins, can have hoof issues and lameness causing a reduction in food intake and weight gain, reduced milk production, lower reproduction rates and pain. Kate Johnson shares causes, treatments and prevention for common hoof challenges. Source: Backyard Goats, July 17, 2022. Link. Three of the most common goat hoof problems are: hoof … [Read more...]
Caring for the outdoor cat
Caring for an outdoor cat may be an oxymoron if considering lifespans. Indoor cats outlive outdoor cats by as much as 10 years. The author shares some proactive measures to help keep cats safe while they’re away from home including microchipping, vaccination and parasite prevention. Source: Happy Puppy Tips. Link. Before opening the door to feline freedom, consider investing … [Read more...]
More on blue-green algae: When in doubt, keep out!
Toxic cyanobacteria or, blue-green algae is primarily a concern during the summer months, when it can be found in small lakes or ponds. Dogs can be exposed while swimming in lakes, ponds and pools of water caused by seasonal flooding and standing water, like that in abandoned swimming pools. Dogs are exposed by drinking or licking toxic water. Drinking directly from a pond, … [Read more...]
Coalition of veterinary groups launches telehealth initiative
The Coalition for Connected Veterinary Care launched this morning at AVMA Convention 2022 in Philadelphia. The founding members are the AVMA, Veterinary Study Groups and Merck Animal Health, along with more than 30 veterinary organizations and companies that have signed on so far. The coalition will develop education and resources to help veterinarians integrate telehealth … [Read more...]
Potentially deadly bacteria been found in U.S. soil and water for the first time
Note: This piece is important considering how frequently potential non-human disease hosts are transferred across the world in shipping containers, hay and grain, between shelters, in a variety of animal trailers and on migratory species. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has asked healthcare workers to look for symptoms of melioidosis in patients. Melioidosis … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – July 28, 2022
Last week’s most read posts Petflation: Inflation’s impact on pet industry. Link. 988 mental health hotline is live. Here’s what to know. Link. Collaboration offers digital cattle record access. Link. Last AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, July 21, 2022. Link. =================================== How much should I spend to keep my … [Read more...]
Impact of housing environment and management on pre-/post-weaning piglet productivity
Newborn piglets have limited energy reserves, poor ability to regulate their own body temperature and a high surface area to volume ratio. Factors in their environment such as temperature, humidity and drying time affects their first eight weeks of life. The summary shares livability perspectives including, farrowing, the creep area, transportation from farrowing and placement … [Read more...]
ASF moves in two distinct ways based on European incidence
Using European African Swine Fever historical data and spread patterns, Dennis DiPietre and Lance Mulberry hope to gain insight into the unique pathways, natural blocks and accelerated spread corridors within the U.S. In the EU, ASF moves in two distinct ways: The first case or two appear suddenly in an area with no discovered disease nearby. The disease gradually spreads … [Read more...]
Measuring lameness prevalence in dairy cows: Effects of case definition and assessment frequency
Identifying lameness is challenging. Without routine assessments, on-farm and consistent case definitions, understanding the percentage of dairy cows lame at any one time makes it difficult to determine the effect of lameness prevalence. Still, lameness at any level can cause pain, reduce milk production, shorten longevity and diminish reproductive performance. Researchers … [Read more...]