The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Homeland Security, Science and Technology Directorate dedicated the long-anticipated National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility on May 24th. This new 48-acre facility at the northern edge of the Kansas State University campus will be one of the top laboratories in the world to study and diagnose animal diseases. The … [Read more...]
The June deadline is here!
More than 100 products will no longer be labeled OTC after June 11. They will then require a prescription from a licensed veterinarian. The majority are labeled for use in food animals. Sixteen are labeled for food and companion animals, and two are specific to companion animals, according to the FDA. The FDA states that "veterinarians are generally not required to examine … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – May 25, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, May 18th, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from May 18th AHD Bulletin – Make it clear! Link. The most dog-loving states in America. Link. The Bridge Club to discuss affect of new VCPR legislative efforts. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy … [Read more...]
Feeding behavior during the first week in the feedlot
Studies have shown preconditioning weaned calves results in less morbidity and mortality, improves post-weaning performance and higher carcass quality versus ranch and auction-derived calves. However, there is limited research assessing the impacts of commingling preconditioned and auction-derived calves at the feedlot and if the proportions of preconditioned to auction-derived … [Read more...]
Atypical mad cow disease detected in South Carolina cow
An atypical case of bovine spongiform Encephalopathy was found in an older beef cow at a slaughter plant in South Carolina. It is the seventh case identified in the U.S. The animal never entered slaughter channels and at no time presented a risk to the food supply or human health in the United States. Atypical BSE generally occurs in older cattle and rarely and spontaneously … [Read more...]
Regional swine disease warning tool now available
The Early Regional Occurrence Warning project was launched with the Morrison Swine Health Monitoring Project in September 2022. Funded by the Swine Health Information Center, the effort aims to increase swine disease awareness, prevention and preparedness. The first TEROW report was sent May 9th and will be released weekly. The TEROW report notifies participants if a swine … [Read more...]
Goats can help control eastern red cedar invasion
Nebraska farmer Mike Wallace sent families of goats to pasture with his herd of cows and sheep and found the goats help control invasive cedar trees economically. The average goat will consume as much as 20 percent of its diet as cedar trees. Eastern red cedar, Juniperus virginiana, is a native invasive species of tree that causes problems on rangeland and in pastures. Grass … [Read more...]
Best chickens for kids
Some chicken breeds are easier to handle, have calmer personalities and enjoy human company more than others. The author recommends these five breeds: Silkies, Mille Fleurs, Cochin Bantams, Frizzles and Easter Egger Bantams. Source: Backyard Poultry, February 13, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Handling horse wounds from sterilization to stitches
When an injury is found on a horse communicating with a veterinarian is a priority and the sooner the better. Alexandra Tracey, DVM, Dipl. ACVS-LA, and Dean Hendrickson, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS, weigh in on the dos and don’ts of wound care, from discovery to recovery. Before choosing a wait-and-see approach horse owners should be encouraged to relay as much information as possible … [Read more...]
Gut microbiome disruption evident in cats with chronic rhinitis
Researchers studying cats suffering from chronic upper respiratory infections were surprised to find significant differences in the nasal and gut microbiomes between ill cats and their healthy housemates. Feline upper respiratory tract disease affects thousands of cats each year and is a leading cause of euthanasia in vulnerable populations found in group housing situations, … [Read more...]
Stress has a smell and dogs can detect it
A study has shown dogs can detect stress hormones in sweat and breath samples and differentiate those from baseline samples. The research highlights that dogs do not need visual or audio cues to pick up on human stress. The findings show that we, as humans, produce different smells through our sweat and breath when we are stressed and dogs can tell this apart from our smell … [Read more...]
Veterinarians advise pet owners about rare fungal infection that can affect pets (video)
“Blastomycosis is a fungal organism that animals can pick up from humus-type soil. So, riverbeds, lakes, streams, and swamp areas are very common areas that they can get exposed to it,” shared Edward Brauer II, DVM. He advises pet owners to avoid wet, swampy areas when walking their pets as the weather gets warmer. Source: WMTV Madison, May 6, 2023. Link. The organism is … [Read more...]
Correcting misconceptions about allergy testing in cats
There’s no simple test for figuring out what substance(s) a cat is allergic to and then treating from there. Ramón Almela, DVM, says diagnosing an allergy is often an indirect process that requires time and patience. Blood test or skin prick test? Neither.” Source: Tuft’s Catnip, March 22, 2023. Link. Almela outlines the three treatment options currently available for cats … [Read more...]
Exploring the benefits of mucosal vaccine technology
Complimentary Sponsored Content Amy Stone, DVM, PhD, joins Chats with the Chatfields to explore mucosal vaccines and their impact on veterinary and human medicine. Discussing applications in protecting pets and humans alike, Stone and the Chatfields review the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for mucosal vaccines, the future of vaccine research and potential in … [Read more...]
Stop wasting money on biodegradable dog poop bags
Includes Commercial References Picture this, writes Kristin Hostetter: one thousand football fields lined up in a row, each one filled with dog feces a foot deep. It’s not a pleasant thought, but that’s how much waste our canine pets create each year in the U.S. Painting a disturbing picture of dog excrement as a waste dilemma, she shares various choices and shares her … [Read more...]
Instacart delivery data reveals pet-related purchase data
We found this to be a unique look at pet food and pet treats brands sold via Instacart’s home delivery service. They also share other pet items they deliver, including hay for small animals and bird food. Source: Instacart, May 23, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – May 22, 2023
Pet tech hardware as positive disruption, pet inflation update, dog anxiety, automating financial processes, companion animal nutrition research, new ingredient launches to to address metabolic health, natural product preservation and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, May 22, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Set these 5 boundaries before you go on vacation
Research and commentary dating back to the 1910s shows that taking vacations, i.e. completely disconnecting from work, is critical to lowering burnout, increasing energy and engagement, and improving overall health and well-being. The results lead to more consistent productivity, writes Marlo Lyons. Easier said than done, Lyons shares five tips to set firm boundaries in a … [Read more...]
How to talk to your team about their career development
Inherent in a leadership role is the responsibility to help your team members determine their career goals, grow within your organization and continue to feel engaged at work. It is important to talk about development early as lack of career development is among the top reasons individuals leave their current positions. Career development conversations between managers and … [Read more...]
Your life partner is the biggest career choice you’ll ever make. How to get it right.
Commentary A family member recently shared some of the reasons for changes in her career choices. On a fast track at the time she married her husband, 80- and 90-hour work weeks were normal. Dates for the couple took place on the way to and from work, or during breaks in her work events. The pandemic abruptly ended the work gauntlet and allowed the couple to find each … [Read more...]
Set clear, actionable goals for yourself
While the thrust of this article is goals for a business, you are a business and will benefit by having clear and actionable goals for yourself. Source: Bplans, June 2018. Link. You don’t have employees, but you do have a team that could include your spouse, children, parents, mentor, college friend, co-workers etc. INSIGHT: If you don’t know where you are going, how will … [Read more...]
Pay transparency laws: What small businesses need to know
Eight states have adopted pay transparency laws, writes Olivia Chen. Employer requirements vary based on number of employees in those states. As it currently stands, companies subject to pay transparency laws must post a "good faith" salary range, meaning a range that they reasonably expect they will pay for the role. However, that can still be negotiated in either direction … [Read more...]
Don’t be afraid to ask the sensitive questions
Commentary The ability to ask questions is not reserved for interviewers or leaders. Questioning is a way we can understand another point of view other than our own. We asked Patrick T. Malone to review and comment on Benjamin Kessler’s article which shares information from research done by Einav Hart, BA, MA, PhD. Malone’s comments and Kessler’s article are linked … [Read more...]
We are the advocates
Acknowledging the challenges veterinarians face, Marc Rosenberg, VMD, shares a fictitious story based on real occurrences where a veterinarian had to step in, set aside fears of client alienation and address an animal’s needs head-on. His story is about animal abuse and it underscores the role of veterinarians, veterinary teams and animal health pros as animal health … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – May 18, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, May 11th, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from May 11th AHD Bulletin – Apologize properly when something goes wrong. Link. Cope wth work stress appropriately. Link. Your manners may need a makeover. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy Vets. Link. Have you tried it … [Read more...]
Nine states have more cows than people
May is National Beef Month. As of January 1, 2023 there were 91.9 million head of cattle and calves on farms in the United States according to the USDA. In Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wyoming cows are more numerous than people. There is one cow for every 3.6 people in the U.S.” Source: Beef2Live, April 16, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Lab-grown meat could be 25 times worse for the climate than beef
Lab-grown or “cultivated” meat produced from cultured cells could be 25 times worse for the climate than regular beef unless scientists find ways to overhaul energy-intensive steps in its production. Source: New Scientist, May 9, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
More is not always better
Managing individual herd health requires thought and diligence from producers and the veterinarians who advise them. Mark Hilton, DVM, shares a thought-provoking perspective on optimizing herd health processes, as it relates to vaccination, antibiotics and deworming. The key takeaway? Include the veterinarian before making a change. . . . if something needs to be eliminated or … [Read more...]
Communal wound licking documented in a hoofed mammal for the first time
American bison have been observed licking each other’s wounds, a stress-reducing behavior not documented in a hoofed mammal until now. While female bison have been observed grooming unrelated calves, reports of animals licking the wounds of others have largely been limited to captive rats and wild primates, such as chimpanzees. Source: New Scientist, May 6, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
And the green grass grows all around . . . but wait!
Spring! Pastures and hayfields are greening up. Lush stands of grass push skyward after a nice rain. A few seed heads start to develop and our noses get ready for that smell of the first cutting of hay. But wait . . . upon closer inspection, “oh no, ergot [ur-guht]!” Ergot is a fungus (Claviceps purpurea) that contaminates rye and wheat and produces substances called … [Read more...]