Washington is full of rats. Several dogs and their owners are happy to help with that. The images may be disturbing to some, but these terriers are doing what they were bred to do and helping curb a growing rat population. Source: The Washington Post, The Society of Environmental Journalists, September 14, 2023. Link. The rat hunters’ primary motivation . . . is making … [Read more...]
The expanding threat of tick- and mosquito-borne diseases in shelter dogs
A recent study from the University of Georgia suggests that shelter dogs in the eastern U.S. may be disproportionately affected by the relentless spread of ticks and mosquitoes to new regions. Climate change is a factor as carriers expand their ranges. The resulting risks affect dogs and humans alike. Source: Vet Candy, September 2023. Link. The study underscores the vital … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – September 14, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, September 7, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from the September 7th AHD Bulletin – 7 dangers dogs may face in the fall. Link. Leading behavioral change. Link. Cryptosporidium parasite is endemic to even the tidiest dairy farms. Link. Health management of early weaned beef calves. Link. Views of this … [Read more...]
Fall and winter prep for smaller swine herds
Colder months bring unique challenges to small swine herds in terms of disease prevention and control. Swine extension educator Casey Zangaro reminds us that not all swine operations are optimized for heat, light and biosecurity. Keeping the heating, lighting, nutrition, health management, environmental management, bedding and recordkeeping on point assists in the upkeep of … [Read more...]
Surfactant from bovine lungs keeps premature babies breathing
A colleague shared this post about Bovine Lipid Extract Surfactant, a unique substance made up of fats and proteins found in the lungs of cattle. Most premature human babies are born without enough surfactant in their lung tissues to keep the tiny alveoli from collapsing. BLES works better than any synthetics to date. It has the ability to mimic the complex mixture of proteins … [Read more...]
Six signs that cow may be lame
The economic impact of lameness is significant and the second most important step for effective lameness management, after prevention, is identification, explains Carly Becker an extension educator. Practicing locomotion scoring is one way to help identify animals with gait, posture and movement issues and can easily be done when moving animals to and from pens. Becker shares … [Read more...]
Preweaning protocols during a strong cattle market
Weather and vaccine choice play roles in calf health response, writes Heather Smith Thomas. She interviewed Daryl Meyer, DVM, and Chris Chase, DVM, PhD, who shared their experiences with video sales, preconditioning vaccines, optimal nutrition and weather interference during processing. In calves over 3 months of age, most of the injectable vaccines you’d give will not have … [Read more...]
Provide enough space to get all the benefits of turnout
Last week we shared the importance of horses having a pasture friend <Link>. Research from Ohio State University suggests that horses need a minimum amount of space to derive all the benefits of turnout and to stay out of each other's hair. Source: EQUUS, August 29, 2023. Link. Study data showed horses kept in pens that allowed 342 square meters* per horse had reduced … [Read more...]
Some lameness may be in a horse’s head
The definition of rein lameness is difficult because it's a lameness that can be appreciated only when a horse is being exercised under saddle or wearing a bridle and being exercised. A link between TMJ inflammation and lameness has been studied by James L. Carmalt, MA, VetMB, MVetSc, PhD, FRCVS, DABVP(Eq), DAVDC(Eq), DACVSMR(Eq), DACVSe, and his colleagues. If you have TMJ … [Read more...]
Covid-19 evolving in white-tailed deer
A study from Nature Communications highlights the white-tailed deer species is a reservoir for SARS-CoV-2 that enables continuing mutation, and the virus’s circulation in deer could lead to its spread to other wildlife and livestock. And the evidence is growing that humans can get it from deer, which isn’t radically surprising. It’s probably not a one-way pipeline.” Source: … [Read more...]
Mastering the art of arguing productively
Commentary Only once we understand the other side of any issue can we be confident that we fully understand our own, writes Yonason Goldson. His perspectives on argument, societal intolerances and ultimately win-lose thinking is worth the 4-minute read. We probably don’t need the new word, quodlibet because we’ll struggle to pronounce it. It is easy to agree with his … [Read more...]
Self-confidence is not immune to negative feelings
Even the most accomplished and confident leaders sometimes find themselves grappling with feelings of inadequacy and negative self-worth. Source: Forbes, August 22, 2023. Link. For leaders, a self-perceived fraudulence can be exacerbated by a relentless pursuit of perfectionism, where any minor flaw is magnified into a colossal failure. INSIGHT: Create a two-year … [Read more...]
Report from KVP International highlights sustainability efforts at Mars, MWI, Zoetis
Shared by an industry colleague, this Bowman Report Special Edition looks at sustainability in the veterinary industry. Contributions from Mars Veterinary Health, MWI Animal Health and Zoetis reveal the steps major animal health companies are taking to become more environmentally responsible. Also, a Packaged Facts analysis spotlights important insights into what consumers want … [Read more...]
Things that fit through a surgical mask
This Facebook Reel stopped me in my tracks. It is a vivid illustration of particle size and just how vulnerable animal health pros are to particles, viruses, bacteria and more. Yes, we already know much of this information, but reviewing it with your teams could deepen the understanding and importance of infection control. Source: Lawton Green, Facebook Reel. Link. (0:30) … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – September 7, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, August 24, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from the August 24th AHD Bulletin – Here’s how much workers are demanding for a new job. Link. Empathy – the secret sauce. Link. The need for vigilant African swine fever on-farm prevention. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by … [Read more...]
Cryptosporidium parasite is endemic to even the tidiest dairy farms
Just one tablespoon of feces from a Crypto-infected calf contains enough oocysts to infect dozens of other calves if they consume it orally. The tiny oocysts have a hard outer shell that encloses and protects the parasite making them difficult to kill. . . . the most effective way to keep Crypto at bay is to remove moisture from calf environments and feeding utensils as … [Read more...]
Locomotion and reproduction issues top reasons for sow mortality
A nine-year study revealed prevalent risk factors associated with sow mortality, a growing concern for hog producers. The average annual replacement rate is around 50 percent, with most removals occurring on parity-zero or parity-one females before a positive net present value is achieved. Chris Wright observes the majority of deaths occur during summer. He shares the … [Read more...]
New thinking and approaches to cribbing
Researchers still aren’t sure why some horses crib while others managed the same way do not. Most agree that horses do not adopt this behavior by mimicking others. The current thinking is that an individual horse might have a genetic predisposition to crib, but the behavior isn’t triggered until he is subjected to stressors related to his lifestyle, shares Heather … [Read more...]
Lessons learned raising chickens for meat, a family experience
Many of us can relate to this story. It may not have been chickens but the risk/reward aspects are similar. If you work with 4-H or FFA kids whose parents are not sold on the ideas of their young entrepreneurs, this story might lend some insight into the commitments, preparations and work raising animals requires. Source: Backyard Poultry, July 17, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Ringworm can easily be mistaken for girth gall
Despite its name, ringworm is actually a fungal skin infection that is easily passed from horse to horse on shared equipment. It can also be passed by a rider’s boots, which would rest on the horse just behind the girth area during riding. Plus, ringworm is zoonotic and easily spread from horse to rider and vice versa. The girth area is a common site for ringworm to … [Read more...]
Expanding veterinary schools: Will they solve the veterinary shortage?
During the past decade, the conversation about opening new veterinary schools has been top on the list to solve our veterinary shortage challenges. The Bridge Club is hosting a conversation to better understand how new schools may address the veterinary shortage, the way DVMs are educated and any affect on veterinary technicians. The panel for this discussion includes: Dr. … [Read more...]
Understanding the climbing cost of veterinary care (article, podcast)
Sharing her experiences working with animal owners, as well as her own pets, Jennifer Sperry, DVM, addresses reasons why veterinary care costs have increased. Among them are better educated and trained personnel, advances in medical technology, 24-hour monitoring, specialty care and meeting client expectations. . . . insured clients seem to be able to do more for their sick … [Read more...]
Rocky Mountain spotted fever on an alarming rise
Rocky Mountain spotted fever, a disease spread through bites of ticks that live primarily on dogs, remains rare, but its frequency is rising. It is at epidemic levels in northern Mexico. In Baja California, there were 92 cases in 2022 which prompted a team of Mexican and U.S. scientists to pluck ticks off dogs, scour homes for larvae and warn residents to keep their dogs off … [Read more...]
The best way to apologize (video)
Apologies take time. They take intention. They require we seek to understand, not excuse our actions. Three elements of apology are shared in this video and apply to personal and professional relationships: Take the victim’s perspective Accept responsibility Make an offer to repair* Source: TED-Ed via Linked In, September 1, 2023. Link.(5:04) INSIGHTS: … [Read more...]
PTO remaining? Use the fall foliage prediction map to plan a retreat.
September and October are good times to act on the importance of taking time away and reconnecting to nature. If you enjoy frosty mornings, apple orchard visits and pumpkin patches along with the turning of the leaves, the 2023 Fall Foliage Map is the ultimate visual planning guide to the annual progressive changing of the leaves. While no tool can be 100 percent accurate, … [Read more...]
Health management of early weaned beef calves
Many producers are facing rapidly disappearing forage resources. Additionally, available forage may have decreased nutritional value. Both factors are considerations in early weaning decisions shares Terry Engelken, DVM, MS, who urges producers to proactively plan to ease the transition for younger, lighter weight calves. Early weaning can be a profitable way to stretch … [Read more...]
Slick mutation keeping Puerto Rican dairy cows cool
Heat stress costs the U.S. dairy industry as much as $670 million yearly. Scientists predict it could cause a 6.3 percent drop in milk production by the end of the century. However, some dairy cows in Puerto Rico have a natural mutation recognized as “slick,” which gives them an advantage in hot humid conditions. Slick cows have a shorter coat and more active sweat glands than … [Read more...]
Fall calving in hot weather challenges calves and cows
Heat stress is actually harder on young calves than cold stress. Newborn calves have an immature “thermostat,” writes Mark Z. Johnson. He shares best practices for fall calving taking place during high temperatures. The thermoneutral zone for a young calf is between 50 – 77 degrees Fahrenheit.” Source: Drovers, August 21, 2023. Link. Shade and fresh water is critical. In … [Read more...]
Studies show need for vigilant African swine fever on-farm prevention
These two articles address issues with protecting against African swine fever infections and the spread of disease. In the absence of an effective vaccine, the importance of biosecurity for pork producers is paramount. Source: National Hog Farmer, August 14, 2023. Link. Source: PORK, August 17, 2023. Link. INSIGHTS: An industry colleague who recently interviewed … [Read more...]
Making meat goat farming pay
Reports from the Iowa, Minnesota and Missouri State Fairs indicate the popularity of goats is not diminishing. While popular as 4-H and FFA projects, goats are the fastest-growing animal agriculture enterprise in the U.S. <Link>. Commonly referred to as chevon or mutton, the high demand for goat meat is frequently linked to ethnic buyer demand on special occasions and … [Read more...]