Vetoquinol USA’s five new Flexadin® products will provide research-proven joint support ingredients to dogs and cats of all ages and life stages. The expanded line of products will be available October 1, 2022. The full line of Flexadin products makes it easy to find a supplement that matches the needs of pets. We now know that glucosamine and chondroitin are ingredients that … [Read more...]
More than 100,000 veterinary and pet professionals now Fear Free certified
Congratulations to Marty Becker, DVM, and the Fear Free organization for achieving this significant milestone in training animal health professionals at all levels about providing emotional wellbeing, enrichment and the reduction of fear, anxiety and stress in pets. Source: Cision, September 27, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
9-year review of cat scratch disease in children
Vet Candy shared researchers have evaluated records of children with confirmed Bartonella henselae infection over a 9-year period to better understand the epidemiology, risk factors and clinical features of cat scratch disease. In 92.4 percent of the cases, there was an exposure to a cat and in 22 percent there was an exposure with a dog.” Source: Vet Candy, September 12, … [Read more...]
Chasing shadows and trancing: odd dog behaviors
We’re more observant of our pets since they came indoors to live with us. Repetitive behaviors get noticed, then studied and then there are attempts to explain them. We’re sharing Joan Kubicek’s article on Trance-like Syndrome, a usually benign canine quirk sometime called ghost-walking, weed-walking or simply “trancing. In a related topic, Karen B. London, PhD, addresses … [Read more...]
Resources for communicating with clients and each other
National Pet Insurance month often exposes reluctance from clients when veterinary teams assert the benefits of pet insurance coverage. Knowing how to get on the same page more efficiently can truly provide a win-win-win result. ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance offers continuing education courses to help veterinary teams improve their communication skills. Two such courses are … [Read more...]
Pawty time – Golden Retrievers celebrate
Last week we shared the Golden Zoomies webinar, part of the 10th anniversary celebration of the Morris Animal Foundation’s Golden Retriever Lifetime study. The foundation recorded the event program for those who did not attend and created a video about the 10th anniversary of the study. Tiffany Grunert, MPS, CDI.D, APR, provided some study updates: Just under 2,000 dogs … [Read more...]
Take it easy on the dogs
Researchers, trainers and veterinary and training professional organizations are advocating for greater oversight for dog training, which is unregulated in many countries, including the U.S. Many experts say that aversive methods, which include positive punishment and negative reinforcement, are overused. Punishments such as shock collars may not be doing much good.” - Ula … [Read more...]
September is National Pet Insurance Month! Pet insurance makes sense for pets, pet owners, practices and veterinary teams
Sponsored Content In a recent survey of veterinarians*, the ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance program measured attitudes about pet insurance in their practices. Here are a few of the survey findings: 94.2 percent of veterinary teams believe that pet insurance is a beneficial way to help clients manage the lifetime cost of veterinary care 9 out of 10 veterinarians wish more … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – September 15, 2022
Last week’s most read posts - Five metrics veterinary practices should track. Link. Touring a veterinary hospital with Temple Grandin, PhD, Marty Becker, DVM (video). Link. Last AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, September 8, 2022. Link. Top recommended veterinary products Source: DVM 360®. Link. 748 companion animal … [Read more...]
Golden Zoomies webinar: Pain management, grief and pet loss
The Golden Retriever Lifetime study has now spanned 10 years and some canine participants are reaching their senior years. The latest Golden Zoomies webinar features a panel of speakers who shared their insights on pain management, grief and pet loss. Source: Morris Animal Foundation, YouTube, August 31, 2022. Link. Panel members include: Robin Downing and Dr. Sheilah … [Read more...]
A critical time for osteoarthritis
One of the largest trends in animal health has been the rise in cases of osteoarthritis, writes Graham Garrison. Citing increasing obesity trends in cats and dogs, he shares facts gleaned from Banfield studies and key points from Jo Ann Morrison, DVM, MS, DACVIM. <increasing obesity> trends have created a critical moment for veterinary teams to adjust our tactics as we … [Read more...]
Drs. Chatfield welcome back Millie Rosales, DVM, DACVD, to talk about ear infections
Complimentary Sponsored Content Dr. Millie Rosales, DVM, DACVD, joins Dr. Jen the Vet and Dr. Jason in the Chat Room to share pearls of wisdom for pet owners about some of the reasons for ear infections in dogs and cats too. Otis externa affects up to 20 percent of dogs.” Source: Chats with the Chatfields, September 10, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
AKC’s Responsible Dog Ownership Day is September 17 (video)
The AKC offers 75 ways to be a responsible dog owner in this article that includes a video. Ideas range from initial pet selection to routine care and how to include various support networks in ensuring dogs are kept and maintained responsibly. Topics cover dog choice, ownership commitment, home preparation and house rules, establishing veterinary care, routine care, safety … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – September 12, 2022
Wearable tech trends for animals, inside aging dogs’ brains, premiumization of pet food continues to drive sales, dealing with cash shortages and funding, U.S. pet specialty businesses continue to see robust growth and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, September 12, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Oscar, blind, sees with his heart
Sometimes animal health pros need to stop and marvel at the animals we support and care for. A colleague shared this story and we’re sharing it with you. Sean Dietrich is a self-professed dog guy whose best friends all have fleas. He tells the story of meeting Oscar, a blind bluetick hound. You’ll enjoy it as much as we did. Source: Sean Dietrich, Facebook, September 11, … [Read more...]
Walmart goes after the pet parent market with The Dodo partnership
Pet parent targeting continues to increase in the strategies of pet specialty retailers like Petco, Pet Smart, and Chewy who have learned that many pet owners seek to pamper their dogs and cats like beloved family members. Walmart is looking to expand its reach in the pet category with a collaboration with pet-centric media brand The Dodo, a division of Vox Media. In … [Read more...]
September is National Pet Health Insurance Month
National Pet Health Insurance Month is intended to promote the importance of health insurance for cats, dogs and other pets, debunk myths surrounding coverage and introduce pet insurance to those unfamiliar with it. Now is a good time to actively support pet insurance to help pet owners deal with inflationary trends. Recommending insurance in the interest of the pet is no … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – September 8, 2022
Last week’s most read post KCAHC #AHSummit22 exceeds expectations. Link. Last AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, September 1, 2022. Link. =================================== Leveling the parental-leave playing field Source: SHRM, June 6, 2022. Link. The lack of paternal leave-taking not only affects the well-being of new parents and … [Read more...]
Dynamics of gut microbiota development in the growing dog
As much as 70 percent of an individual dog’s immune system is in the gut and influenced by the microbiome. This review paper aims to provide an overview on the current knowledge of factors shaping the gut microbiota of young dogs. Evidence-based information is necessary to advise dog breeders and owners to promote a healthy microbiome and lifestyle in puppies*. Microorganisms … [Read more...]
Train dogs as if they were tigers
Kathy Callahan, CPDT-KA, asserts we should manage and train a dog as if it is a captive animal out of his element, because he is. She suggests pretending the dog is a tiger and to not expect dogs to know our human ways. Flipping that mental switch from dog to tiger makes owners smarter, kinder and more open to problem-solving. Source: Whole Dog Journal, August 10, 2022. … [Read more...]
Meet the dog that learned to walk like a human
If you’re having a rough day or facing a tough challenge, don’t let either get to you. Instead, turn to Dexter the dog for inspiration. The Ouray, Colorado, Brittany Spaniel was hit by a car when he was a puppy. He lost one front leg and the other one was badly damaged. He moved with the help of a wheelchair for a while – until he didn’t. Source: CBS Evening News, July 8, … [Read more...]
Test yourself on which dog shampoo to use
Knowing how and when various shampoo products for dogs are used can provide multimodal interventions and support therapies helpful for dermatologic treatments. Source: Clinician’s Brief, May 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Help dogs lose weight
Nancy Kerns reminds us that when our dogs are overweight, it’s our fault. They don’t have any understanding of caloric intake and are dependent on us to access exercise. Therefore, their body weight and condition are completely up to us. Source: Whole Dog Journal, August 17, 2022. Link. Kern shares tips for owners to use to help dogs lose weight beginning with an accurate, … [Read more...]
Touring a veterinary hospital with Temple Grandin, PhD, Marty Becker, DVM (video)
Watch Temple Grandin, PhD, take an observational tour of a veterinary hospital with Fear Free founder Marty Becker, DVM. She describes what she sees, hears and experiences. Learn through Grandin’s firsthand observations to better see things from animals’ perspectives. . . . even small improvements can make a world of difference for cats and dogs.” Source: Fear Free, YouTube. … [Read more...]
Article raises concerns from AHD team
We believe veterinary teams will be asked to confirm the information in this article on using human CBD oil in pets. The article includes dosages and other assertions that are red flags for our team. Consider reviewing it, then decide if your team needs to discuss what is asserted in this article or how to address CBD use in pets. Source: Is human CBD oil safe for pets? Top … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – September 1, 2022
Last week’s most read posts Stop the high turnover in the front office (video). Link. Wendy Hauser, DVM: Client trust, human-animal bond and meeting client concerns. Link. Last AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, August 25, 2022. Link. =================================== 28 pet food industry mergers and acquisitions 2022 Source: … [Read more...]
Don’t feed dogs cooked bones
Here’s a friendly reminder that dogs should only be given raw bones. Cooked bones can contain harmful seasonings and cause other severe problems. Source: Masterclass, April 27, 200. Link. Dogs should not eat cooked rib bones, T-bone steak bones or other cooked bones like pork bones or chicken bones. As a dog chews on a cooked bone, it can crack and break. These small pieces … [Read more...]
Couple’s trick to get dog to take medicine goes viral (video)
Getting pets to take their medicine can be challenging. In a TikTok video the owners of Daisy, a golden doodle, show how they trick their dog into thinking she's getting away with stealing dropped human food. Source: Parade, August 24, 2022. Link. INSIGHTS: Whatever it takes, right? People have viewed the video more than 500,000 times. So don’t be surprised if you hear … [Read more...]
Pet community page warns of secondary drowning
Note: We reached out to Wendy Hauser, DVM, to address a new term seen on Facebook. A recent post to a Facebook pet community page highlights the dangers of ‘secondary drowning’, or non-fatal drowning, which occurs when dogs aspirate water into their lungs. This can happen in many ways, says Hauser. Pets that don’t swim well can inadvertently inhale water during their … [Read more...]
If it looks like, acts like, smells like parvo . . . it is parvovirus in Michigan
Tony McReynolds updates the parvo situation in Michigan. It wasn’t a mysterious disease after all. Source: AAHA NEWStat, August 29, 2022. Link. Initial negative test results were puzzling. Digging deeper veterinarians found while some of the affected dogs had been vaccinated for parvo NONE had a history of complete vaccination. … [Read more...]