Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.” – Anonymous As 2023 approaches, preparing for potential recessionary effects* is important. Speaking at the AVMA Veterinary Business and Economic Forum, economist Dana Peterson shared why a recession seems eminent in 2023. R. Scott Nolen shares an overview of her comments and assertions including: Housing market changes … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – November 17, 2022
Last week’s most read posts – Horse owners’ survival guide for fall. Link. Last AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, November 10, 2022. Link. ================================================================= 45 days remain in 2022 Source: time and date.com, November 17, 2022. Link. 43 days remain excluding holidays but only 30 days … [Read more...]
22nd AKC National Championship draws record number of entries
The AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin has 5,385 entries this year, a new record. The dogs will compete for the title of America’s National Champion December 17 and 18 in Orlando, Florida. Source: AKC, November 15, 2022. Link. To get more information about the show, visit https://www.akc.org/sports/akc-national-championship/ or follow on Facebook or … [Read more...]
Senior pets deserve individual care plans
Mary Gardner, DVM, advocates for individual care for senior pets versus the cookbook approach too often adopted by medical professionals. These factors provide context for each pet’s story: its ailments, its personality, and the pet owner’s four budgets: financial, physical, time and emotional. Source: AAHA Trends, November 2022. Link. Also see: Search Results for: Mary … [Read more...]
Canine Leishmaniasis: Update on epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and prevention
Commentary We’re providing this paper as an update on the status of leishmaniasis. We captured these statements for animal health pros to consider: Canine leishmaniasis is expanding to the Northern Hemisphere, where it is barely known, due to climate change and the importation of dogs. Sandflies are the only proven vectors of Leishmania infantum, but direct … [Read more...]
Optimizing nutrition for cats and dogs
Opinion Pet food content consistently asserts the changing landscape of pet nutrition and how pet owners are seeking diets that parallel their own nutrition choices. Beyond brands, ingredients, kibble versus frozen, and fresh versus processed are among the considerations. Pet owners are responsible for their pets’ proper nutrition Too many dogs and cats are obese … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – November 14, 2022
Chasing customer loyalty, pet food trends driving growth, cost cutting for pet owners, pet services over $9 billion now, upcoming webinars and more. . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, November 14, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – November 10, 2022
Last week’s most read posts – Vaccinating unhealthy animals by Scott Weese, DVM. Link. Last AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, November 3, 2022. Link. 50 therapist-approved tips to stave off holiday stress Source: PARADE, December 6, 2021. Link. For many, the holiday season is particularly difficult. The pressure to show up a certain … [Read more...]
Tail docking . . . the debate continues
Jennifer Bailey, DVM, shares information about tail docking and its pros and cons. Tail docking is generally done only to meet breed standards for some purebred dogs. AAHA and the AVMA have issued statements that oppose tail docking: AAHA statement, updated June 2021. Link. AVMA statement. Link. Article, 2008. Link. Source: Whole Dog Journal, November 4, 2022. … [Read more...]
Dog, cat owners and veterinarians differ on pet obesity
A survey of dog and cat owners by the Association for Pet Obesity shows the challenges of pet obesity and owner education although most owners see obesity as a disease. Veterinary clinics remained the most frequent choice for pet dietary recommendations among pet owners at 41.4 percent Dog and cat owners second-most frequent choice for the best source of pet food advice … [Read more...]
Is Dawn dish soap safe for dogs?
Contains Commercial Content* Dawn dishwashing liquid may not be the best option to use for bathing your pets. Two experts offer advice about using Dawn soap to clean dogs. We noted the following: Dawn dish soap can be a safe choice in rare circumstances but is not recommended as a regular shampoo. Dawn is great for degreasing if your pet is exposed to oil or … [Read more...]
They don’t know what they don’t know
Writing for a groomer audience, Cliff Faver, DVM, reinforces the primary reasons for pet owner education: to get the best results. . . . if you recommend the client brush their dog, then educate them, show them the correct way and provide the right tools and products for success . . . it is good to revisit everything at the next appointment in case they have questions or … [Read more...]
How to prepare a dog for a boarding kennel
Now is the time dog owners need to prepare for boarding if they are traveling over the holidays. These authors share what to look for when shopping for a dog-boarding facility that will keep a dog secure, comfortable and unharmed. They advise dog owners to see where their dog will be housed and where he will be taken to eliminate and recreate. Source: Whole Dog Journal, … [Read more...]
Pet friendly locations offer help so dogs aren’t home alone
Taking dogs out and about helps improve their mental stimulation. A growing number of retail locations offer pet friendly access to myriad new sights and smells for dogs. The author reminds pet owners to call stores for their policies and to do a reality check. If dogs aren’t good in crowds, or aren’t the most well-behaved on a leash, a few training classes are in order before … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – November 07, 2022
Pet spending at the veterinary clinic, growth in death care business for pets, David Frei shares concerns for pandemic puppies, pet care industry’s role in senior care, keeping employees happy, tips for small business finance in 2023 and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, November 07, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – November 3, 2022
Last week’s most read post – Jacks, jennies, johns and hinnies; the hybrid world of donkeys and horses. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, October 27, 2022. Link. Nationwide, Petco form partnership to focus on end-to-end pet care Source: Pet Business, October 27, 2022. Link. New joint offerings are expected to be … [Read more...]
Updating the Dog Aging Project
Past posts <Link> provided information about the objectives of the Dog Aging Project. MIT’s Jessica Hamzelou shares how anti-aging drugs are being trialed in companion dogs. The objective is to find ways to have people, as well as their pets, live longer, healthier lives. Researchers hope that any successful attempts at life extension in pet dogs will make human life … [Read more...]
Vaccinating unhealthy animals by Scott Weese, DVM
In part 3 of his series on vaccination, Scott Weese, DVM, addresses the challenges and decisions to vaccinate unhealthy animals or not. Vaccine labels don’t say to NOT use them in unhealthy pets, but they also don’t give any guidance for vaccine use in such animals.” Source: Worms and Germs, October 27, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Shedding season tips
Contains Commercial Content Most pets experience intensive shedding during fall and spring. Whether a retailer, groomer, pet sitter or veterinarian, shedding season is a good time to reinforce skin care and offer tools and tips to manage the hairy situations to pet owners. Source: Happy Puppy Tips. Link. … [Read more...]
Smart device syncs pet food formulation with dog behavior
Complimentary Commercial Content Artificial intelligence may be able to suggest what pet food formulations match a dog’s behaviors. A collaboration between two Mars divisions, IAMS dog food brand and Whistle pet activity trackers, resulted in a system that uses data on a dog’s behaviors to determine what diet may be best for that pet specifically. Source: PETFOOD Industry, … [Read more...]
The meaning of dog stares
Without reading its body language, knowing why a dog is staring is difficult, according to Pat Miller, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA. She shares her take on what adoring, happy, communication and hard stares mean. Whatever stare a dog is giving you, it means something, so pay attention!” Source: Whole Dog Journal, September 26, 2022. Link. Also see: Why dogs stare at you when pooping, … [Read more...]
Understand what your dog wants
Dogs understand us better than we understand them. They’re always communicating with us, but we often don’t take them time or effort to understand what they’re saying. This can lead to emotional and behavior problems. This first-person account of learning about canine behaviors can help us understand what dogs are telling us. Source: The New York Times Well newsletter, June … [Read more...]
Skin microbiome differs after kibble or fresh dog food
Commercial Content Results from a first-of-a kind study show diet type affects skin microflora. Microbe diversity was higher after dogs were fed a fresh diet compared to dry kibble. Skin and coat formulations remain among the most popular health claims made by therapeutic and prescription pet foods. . . . if we can affect the skin microbiome with a diet, that could provide … [Read more...]
Campaign seeks to make November senior pet month
Senior Pet Advocates is recognizing November as Senior Pet Health Month. The group believes it is important to emphasize senior pets require additional care, such as more frequent examinations and diagnostics. Plus, their owners may need nutritional and behavioral counseling. Source: AVMA, October 18, 2022. Link. Senior Pet Advocates plans on growing support for the … [Read more...]
NSAID overdose in dogs: Positive outcomes require the right therapy.
Addressing what to do and the urgencies of treating a NSAID overdose, Tina Wismer, DVM, MS, DABVT, DABT, says research shows most patients have a positive outcome with appropriate therapy. The upcoming holiday season is a good reason to remind pet owners of the need to keep pet and human drugs out of the reach of pets, including monitoring guest behaviors in our … [Read more...]
Pet vaccination questions addressed by Scott Weese, DVM
Scott Weese, DVM, shares his thoughts on a series of vaccine issues, questions and dogmas surrounding rabies and core pet vaccines. . . . we need to vaccinate <pets> until we’re sure they’re old enough to respond properly to a vaccine.: - Scott Weese, DVM Source: Worms and Germs Blog. Link. Part 1: rabies vaccine timing, October 20, 2022. Link. Part 2: the puppy … [Read more...]
1, 2, 3 or more pets at home? This discussion could help.
Complimentary Content Nearly 100 pet owners are already registered for this virtual event from The Bridge Club Pets. Consider sharing this opportunity on social media or in newsletters with pet owners in your network. Behavior experts from Preventive Vet will share tips for managing the dynamics of multiple pets in a household. 70 percent of all households own at least one … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – October 24, 2022
New hire background screening webinar, satellite vet clinics at Walmart, National Cat Day history, tech gadgets enable pet care, Hill’s and Mars initiatives and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, October 24, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Pet Poison Helpline data drives interactive toxic trends map
Toxin Trends was created to educate pet owners and veterinary professionals on the variety of toxins that are near their communities. Chrysanthemums, 27th on the tableau toxin list, are popular fall flowers across the country. The highest number of calls to the helpline come in October as shown in the interactive map. Source: Pet Poison Helpline, Toxic Trends. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – October 20, 2022
Last week’s most read posts – Socializing new puppies? Manage the right amount of playtime. Link. Last AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, October 13, 2022. Link. 10 commandments of dog ownership Source: AHD, June 28, 2022. Link. Reposting because it is important to routinely reinforce the responsibilities of pet ownership, … [Read more...]