There are pros and cons of training horses in deep sand. Researchers investigated how footing affects equine athletes. While muscles adapt to the sand environments their findings show endurance horses training and competing in deep sand are at risk of pelvic fractures or bone stress injuries. Source: EquiManagement, May 1, 2023. Link. An endurance horse that works in deep … [Read more...]
A few drops of blue-green algae can kill a dog
Blue-green algae are not algae at all, but types of bacteria called cyanobacteria. They often begin to affect a dog almost immediately. Symptoms usually develop within 30 to 60 minutes. Many dogs get sick on the way home usually with vomiting and diarrhea. Note: The National Centers for Environmental Information provides an online Harmful Algae BoomS Observing System that … [Read more...]
Shaping the onboarding experience
Trial by fire is no longer acceptable when bringing new employees on board. Regardless of the size of the business, new hires need to feel supported from day one including opportunities to offer and receive feedback as onboarding takes place. A primary objective of onboarding is to reduce the time it takes for a new hire to become fully productive in their role” Source: … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – May 3, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, April 27th, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from April 27th AHD Bulletin – Trust lost. Link. Preparing for behavioral interview questions. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy Vets. Link. Compliance is a 5 letter word Source: Vetsource, Link. PRAP is an … [Read more...]
Worms without borders
Complimentary Commercial Content When cattle move about the country so do the worms and germs they carry. Boehringer Ingelheim’s David Shirbroun, DVM, shares the challenges of worm management and how extended release dewormers can benefit producers with cattle pastured more than a month. One thing producers might not realize is that the peak level of larvae in the pasture … [Read more...]
Breeding season checklist
As spring calving comes to a close and producers look to crop production, its important to help them get a solid plan together for breeding cows back. In addition to bull management, this is also a good time to cull open cows or those doing poorly. Source: Drovers, April/May 2023. Link. INSIGHTS: Across all types of veterinary practices, we are routinely seeing … [Read more...]
All about emus
Fans of The Incredible Jan Pol on National Geographic TV, may have seen him, Charles and staff treating emus and sometimes wrestling with them <Link>. Kenny Coogan shares why emus have gained popularity and some guidance for their care in the article below. Today in the U.S., emus are a popular choice for alternative agriculture due to their minimal husbandry needs, … [Read more...]
Perfectly snotty: Understanding feline upper respiratory infections
Includes Sponsored Content Dr. Danette Schweers, and hosts, Dr. Jen the vet and Jason Chatfield, DVM, dive into the world of feline upper respiratory infections. They discuss the common causes and symptoms of this disease, including sneezing, coughing, runny nose and eyes, and fever. They explore the best methods for prevention and treatment, including vaccinations, … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – April 27, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, April 20th, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from April 20th AHD Bulletin – Enhancing your customers’ experiences. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy Vets. Link. Study says U.S. unprepared for dangers posed by zoonotic diseases Source: Vet Candy, February 13, 2023. … [Read more...]
Armadillo invasion: Why the creatures are rapidly moving north
Nine-banded armadillos Dasypus novemcinctus are the only species of the animal found in the U.S. They have mostly lived in the southeastern part of the country but over the last century have steadily migrated northward. They are omnivores whose diets are mostly insects, invertebrates, small reptiles, eggs and small mammals. Some southern armadillos are naturally infected with … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – April 20, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, April 13th, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from April 13th AHD Bulletin – Don’t assume that old refrigerator is okay for vaccines, antimicrobials. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy Vets. Link. Are influencers ready for a world without follower counts? Source: … [Read more...]
2023 CATTLE U event moves to Manhattan, KS
If you service cattle producers in the 300-mile radius of Manhattan, Kansas ,this is an opportunity for them to listen to industry experts and network with other producers. High Plains Journal's CATTLE U is a free, educational event now in its fifth year. It will take place at the Hilton Garden Inn in Manhattan, Kansas, on July 11th. The event includes a full day of … [Read more...]
How long do cows wait to be milked?
Great question! Short answer? You can’t set it and forget it with automatic milking systems. The longer cows wait to be milked, the less time they have to rest. Knowing that long periods of standing are detrimental to cow health and comfort, increasing their chance to develop lameness and hoof lesions, a research team studied cow behavior in free-flow and guided-flow barns … [Read more...]
The impact of long-distance trucking on dairy calves is more pronounced than perceived
Trucking is hard on calves. David Renaud, DVM, says surprisingly little research has been conducted to evaluate the health implications of transport. He shares results from a research project completed in Canada that shows transportation for long distances and at less than one week of age are associated with poor health and growth outcomes in dairy calves. It is beneficial if … [Read more...]
Guidelines for vaccines and antibiotic management in goats
While a niche in the U.S. veterinary world, multiple vaccines, antibiotic brands and other products are available specifically for goats, writes Jaclyn Krymowski. She shares information for goat owners which may also inform veterinary teams who rarely see goats and other caprines. Source: Backyard Goat, March 24, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Third human bird flu death prompts comments from Brakke’s Bob Jones
Source: AgriMarketing, April 17, 2023. Link. The third human infection with H3N8 bird flu virus and first fatality ever reported prompted Bob Jones to think about how we as an industry should respond to influenza in animals. His commentary is part of this report on the human death from avian flu. … [Read more...]
Fowl Play: veterinarians talk biosecurity and backyard chickens
Complimentary Sponsored Content Attention animal health pros! Consider investing an hour of your time to learn from this timely discussion. Karen Grogan, DVM, MAM, ACPV, joins the Chatfields for an informative and realistic discussion of backyard chickens, biosecurity and the threat of high path avian influenza. After you’ve held them and they’re cute please go wash your … [Read more...]
10 ways to reduce job search anxiety
There are healthy ways to deal with job search anxiety, writes Caroline Castrillon. She shares ways to deal with search anxiety during the process of finding a new opportunity including: Remember you are more than your job Find support Maintain a schedule Embrace the rejection Know when its time to rest Source: Forbes, April 16, 2023. Link. INSIGHTS: Some … [Read more...]
Morning routines that improve productivity
A good morning routine can make a positive difference in your days. It provices structure, stability and improves focus on the most important tasks. Taking the time each morning to do things that help nourish the body, clear your mind, and make progress on goals can create a productive routine that sets you up to have an efficient day. Source: The Outdoor Wear, March 17, … [Read more...]
Enhancing your customers’ experiences
Customer experience is a key strategy for companies to differentiate their products and services from close competitors. Source: ASCM, October 2022. Link. Customer experience passion must be part of company culture, meaning that employees should never be satisfied with what they are doing for customers today. INSIGHTS: First, someone needs to own the customer experience. … [Read more...]
Why Americans care about work so much
Commentary Derek Thompson challenges us to consider the importance of work and how we got there. Currently, he says the history of work takes only six words: from jobs to careers to callings. It’s what comes next that intrigues him, including anticipating the fourth revolution in work. Today, work and workism are facing a double-barreled revolution—the remote-work … [Read more...]
Don’t assume that old refrigerator is okay for vaccines and antimicrobials
Fred Gingrich, DVM, welcomed guest Emmanuel Rollin, DVM MFAM, on a recent AABP podcast Have you Herd? <Link>. The discussion involved studies of on-farm refrigerators, their functionality and the risks to the efficacy of vaccines and antimicrobials stored on farm. This article summarizes key points from that discussion. Source: Bovine Veterinarian, March 7, 2023. … [Read more...]
Interest in miniature cattle continues to surge
Demand for miniature cattle is strong. They are the result of generations of selective breeding and choosing selected genetics to reduce size, while promoting the best breed qualities, conformation and temperament. They are 1⁄2 to 1⁄3 the size of full-size cattle and require less space than regular-size cattle. Two or three miniatures can be kept in an area normally required … [Read more...]
Be on the lookout for grass tetany
In cattle country, the lush green grasses emerging are generally known to be low in magnesium. Producers need to be reminded to watch for symptoms of grass tetany as forage grasses flourish. Symptoms of grass tetany often include going off feed, nervousness, muscle spasms, convulsions, irritability, and aggressiveness. Severe cases may result in a comatose state or … [Read more...]
Spring is gas colic season
Lush green grass is showing up in pastures across the country. Cattle, goats, sheep and horses seek out the juiciest clumps of grass which are high in sugar. For horses, that can cause colic as excessive fermentation occurs in the gut creating a buildup of gas which doesn’t always find a way out of the horse. The result? Gas colic. Consider sharing this article with horse … [Read more...]
Do opossum feces guarantee EPM transmission?
Equine protozoal myeloencephalitiscan can spread to horses who eat hay, feed or drink water that is contaminated with opossum feces. EPM is a rare disease. Studies suggest that about one third of opossums are infected in Missouri compared to one tenth of opossums infected in Michigan. Not every horse that eats contaminated feed develops EPM and not every opossum is infected … [Read more...]
Animal slaughter is not the same as suffering
Maddy Butcher, author of “Beasts of Being: Partnerships Unburdened” and director of The Best Horse Practice Summit, wrote an opinion column that equine enthusiasts will appreciate. She also shares the realities of owning all kinds of animals. She wishes people with strong feelings about horse slaughter understood farm animals’ lives better, from birth to death. With no horse … [Read more...]
Vector-borne disease screening critical to pet health
To help veterinarians stay ahead of the curve and provide the best care to their patients, this article explores why comprehensive screening is critical to pet health. It includes key insights into a lesser-known tick-borne disease that has become more frequently detected than Lyme. “Anaplasma is becoming the most common vector-borne infection they’re seeing dogs are exposed … [Read more...]
Suicide attempt survivor writes “How Not to Kill Yourself”
Clancy Martin tried dying by suicide more than a dozen times. Using what he learned from those attempts, the philosophy professor with the University of Missouri-Kansas City wrote a new book, How Not to Kill Yourself, A Portrait of the Suicidal Mind. It can be helpful for anyone, but given the high rate of suicide in the veterinary profession, the book can be a lifesaver for … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – April 13, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, April 6th, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from March 30th AHD Bulletin – Hauser: Reverse the downward trend of pets missing vet care. Link. JVECC makes a case for quality improvement in vet med. Link. Finding the optimal pattern of a customer journey. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences … [Read more...]