Addressing pet owner inquiries, the authors share answers to dog and cat owners’ most commonly searched questions. Source: Happy Puppy Tips. Link. INSIGHTS: Share this and discuss with your team to see if they have a consistent answer for these common questions. … [Read more...]
Anal sacculitis and an ear ointment option
A retrospective review found that while obesity and poor stool quality have been implicated in development of anal sacculitis, definitive conclusions about the relationship between obesity and anal sacculitis could not be made. The data did show atopic dermatitis was the most common comorbidity. Infusing a steroid/antibiotic/antifungal otic solution following expressing and … [Read more...]
Snoopy was a rescue (video)
We saw a post about Snoopy on the Texas Weimaraner Rescue Facebook page. A cultural icon for the human-animal bond, Snoopy was a rescued puppy having been returned to Daisy Hill Puppy Farm according to some accounts. Snoopy made his debut his debut in Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts comic strip in October 1950. The black and white beagle didn’t have a name until more than a … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – March 27, 2023
October PetCare Conference details, small business grants, risk management, Freshpet and Petco launch fresh food home delivery, women in the pet industry and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, March 27, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
EPA seeks to hand off pet pesticide regulation to FDA
Citing controversy, lack of action and resources to respond to untoward incidents with a popular flea coller, the EPA wants to relinquish its oversight of pet pesticide products. Under the current setup, the EPA is responsible for regulating pet pesticide products that are “not systemic,” or aren’t supposed to enter the bloodstream, while the FDA regulates “systemic” pet … [Read more...]
Pet-owning households on decline while spending remains strong
Richard Kestenbaum shares he was shocked with numbers from the APPA summary of its annual report on pet ownership that shows a decline in pet households. The percentage of households with pets declined from 70 percent in 2021 to 66 percent in 2022. In contrast to the households decline, the dollars spent on pets in 2022 were up 10.8 percent over 2021. Recent reports from Chewy … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – March 23, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, March 16, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from March 2nd AHD Bulletin – 7 things to know to keep rabbits healthy and hopping. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy Vets. Link. ===================================== Fake ChatGPT Chrome extension stealing Facebook … [Read more...]
Pet food recalls
Anne Norris of the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine monitors recalls sharing what happens “when a product violates federal laws and needs immediate legal action.” Recalls can happen in three ways: the company pulls the product on its own the product is pulled by formal FDA request the product is pulled by an FDA order under the agency’s mandatory recall … [Read more...]
Chill protocol to manage aggressive and fearful dogs
Renata S. Costa, DVM, MPhil, MANZCVS, et al share a Chill Protocol which is a combination of orally administered medications to facilitate procedural management of animals that exhibit signs of anxiety and/or aggression. The Chill Protocol can be prescribed to healthy patients that are known to be aggressive, fearful and/or anxious during hospital visits. Source: Clinician’s … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club back in action
Sponsored Content The Bridge Club and The Bridge Club Pets announce three new events. The conversations will be lively. See the links below. TBC: Groomers and veterinarians: Can they co-exist? April 19 at 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. CDT on Zoom. Register here <Link> TBC Pets: Let’s talk about all the creepy crawlies on pets March 30, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. CDY … [Read more...]
Decoding dog gas: When is it a problem?
A small amount of stomach gurgling, burping or even farting is normal for most dogs, but excessive dog gas may signal a problem. Excessive gas may be caused by a less-than-ideal diet or could be signs of issues like inflammatory bowel disease or intestinal parasites. Source: Whole Dog Journal, August 10, 2020. Link. … [Read more...]
5 unexpected rainy day dangers for dogs
Rainstorms can lead to unforeseen dangers and issues beyond wet paws and coats: low visibility, lightening and thunder; puddles including leptospirosis, girardia, possible toxins; mushrooms; toads and frogs; pneumonia. Source: Pet MD, March 1, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Dog helps parents raise twins by grabbing milk, blankets, diapers, toys (video)
Lucy seems to have a complex understanding of words and unique item recognition abilities making her the best big sister ever. Source: Good Morning America, YouTube, March 20, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Dogs, special brownies and more
“What to do if your dog eats marijuana,” by Jennifer Bailey, DVM, addresses a growing issue in homes with pets. Whether edibles, weed or vape cartridges, many of these familiar options are also attractive to dogs. Marijuana was ranked 9th in top Toxin Trends <Link>. Consider this article for social media posts and newsletters to keep pet owners informed of the safety … [Read more...]
A primer on mastitis in small animals
Mastitis can have a dramatic effect on the quality of life of any animal. It is painful, can become a more serious systemic infection and can challenge owners to care for young animals unable to nurse effectively. Don Vaughan shares how mastitis presents in small animals along with diagnosis, treatment and effects. Client education can go a long way toward preventing mastitis … [Read more...]
Demand for pet groomers, grooming remains high
The demand for grooming is outpacing the number of groomers available, according to Paula Hendrickson. She discussed the situation with grooming industry peers in the article linked here. Burnout is a concern as professional skills specialization and certification advance customer expectations and groomer economics. Source: Pet Product News, March 8, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – March 13, 2023
Safety tips for traveling with pets, increasing demand for pet-friendly workplaces, types of YouTube videos that grow business, more legislation limiting retail pet sales, trends in pet nutrition and more. Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, March 13, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
The modern pet telehealth industry is improving veterinary practices
Vetster’s Cerys Goodall writes about the benefits and opportunities for veterinary telehealth in the article linked here. For veterinary teams who have yet to fully use telehealth, it makes a good backdrop for a team discussion. Goodall says telehealth provides unique solutions for consumers and veterinarians while filling in the gaps of in-person clinics. She adds that … [Read more...]
Pets can teach us about love, grief, life and death
Karen Fine, DVM, wrote the recently released book, “The Other Family Doctor.” The book’s subtitle, “A veterinarian explores what animals can teach us about love, life, and mortality,” aptly describes Fine’s observations. She shares these experiences and how they relate to the realities of veterinary practice today with Fresh Air’s Dave Davies. The half-hour interview ranges … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – March 9, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, March 2, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from March 2nd AHD Bulletin – Vet Watch Insight Report. 8.5 percent YTD practice revenue growth, other improvements. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy Vets. Link. 10 most popular articles of 2022 from HBR’s Working Knowledge … [Read more...]
Top 50 best dog poop bags, plus a pollution reality
Commercial Content Included Picking the right dog waste bags is vital. Without the right bag to prevent pollution, non-biodegradable and non-environmentally friendly poop bags can create even more issues. America's 83 million pet dogs produce some 10.6 million tons of poop every year.” – OnEarth.org Source: Top Dog Tips, January 5, 2023. Link. There are 23 million coliform … [Read more...]
3 videos feature insights for treating diabetic patients
DVM 360’s team shares some of the latest tips and tricks for better understanding, diagnosing and treating chronic diabetes in companion animals. They note diabetes affects about 1 in 300 adult dogs and 1 in 230 cats in the U.S. Source: DVM 360, February 24, 2023. Link. The diabetes videos referenced are: The connection between the endocrine pancreas and diabetes. Link. … [Read more...]
Topical therapies in veterinary dermatology
Citing the plethora of topical products for pets, Alexandra Gould, DVM, DACVD, says multiuse products are usually easiest to carry. She groups topical therapies around four main goals and shares the considerations and treatments used to achieve them: Treat infections and prevent their recurrence Decrease seborrhea or greasy skin texture Treat or prevent pruritus … [Read more...]
Florida veterinary technician demonstrates MAXI/GUARD® Oral Cleansing Wipes
Sponsored Content Oral Cleansing Wipes are a fabulous choice for in-between brushings and/or for hard-to-brush mouths, shares Vet Tech Sara from Deerwood Animal Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida. Source: Addison Biological Laboratory. Link. … [Read more...]
Does dog park = cesspool? How to safely enjoy it!
Complimentary Sponsored Content Warmer weather, melting snow, greening grass all invite dog owners outside. Many will decide to take their dogs to dog parks. But are the dogs prepared for the inherent risks? Dawn Martin DVM, DVSc, DACVIM, and the Chatfields discuss the challenges of safely enjoying some of the benefits of a dog park. Note the discussion of risk assessment … [Read more...]
The best way to store dog food may surprise you
In recent dog food recall announcements, we noted comments about how dog food is stored. Storage information is not readily found on several brands’ websites. After a bit of digging here’s what we found. Key points: store dog food inside in original bags for best results, refresh monthly.” We reviewed packaging and labels from more than 12 brands for storage instructions, … [Read more...]
Pet toxicology experts release state-specific top 20 toxins list in new Toxin Trends
March is Pet Poison Prevention Month. Using five years of proprietary call data, Pet Poison Helpline released the next version of Toxin Trends. This online resource helps consumers and veterinary professionals research harmful and potentially deadly toxins in their area. Source: CISION, March 1, 2023. Link. We wanted to share our proprietary data to help educate pet lovers … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – March 6, 2023
Mars study of CBD safety and efficacy, Hootsuite tips, the search for ecofriendly products, could startups reduce pet care costs, Mars’ investment in pet tech, safeguarding against scammers and cybercrime and more. Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, March 6, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Pet owners feeling the sting of inflation
Commentary Inflation in the pet consumables markets has been in the news recently. The January Consumer Price Index shows the price of pet food is up 15 percent from last year with pet and pet product prices up 12 percent. We’re sharing these article that reference the inflation trends so animal health pros can help pet owners focus on their pets’ essential and urgent … [Read more...]
Virtual visits may lower stress for pets
Telemedicine for pets gained ground during the Covid-19 pandemic. The American Veterinary Medicine Association estimated about 40 percent of practices offered telemedicine at the height of the pandemic. This percentage has since dropped. Telemedicine can help assess whether a pet needs to be seen in person and to monitor chronic conditions. It can also help pets avoid the … [Read more...]