Dogs don't experience depression the same way humans do, says Deb M. Eldredge, DVM. But, they can have short-term depression which is usually related to loss of a human or animal family member or a major change in lifestyle. She shares signs of depression and ways to help a dog who is depressed. Source: Daily Paws, January 20, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Inside the rescue of nearly 4,000 beagles
This article offers an inside look at research on animals gone horribly awry and one of the largest animal rescues in history, including massive fundraising by an animal rights organization. Source: The Washington Post, October 17, 2022. Link. The breeding operation, the judge ruled, needed to be emptied of beagles within 60 days. … [Read more...]
Newest Chats with the Chatfields
Complimentary Sponsored Content Dog trainer Kathy Santo joins the Chatfields to share tips for dining out with dogs. They also share a recording of their keynote from the recent 2022 IBPSA FLOW annual conference. Note the discussion of pathogen risks, behavioral concerns, managing what dogs find under tables and possible liabilities in the dining out episode. Source: … [Read more...]
Reasons to hire an animal trainer
Best intentions aside, many people have limited time and knowledge to train a new dog. Discussing details of hiring a trainer, the author shares eight benefits of engaging a professional trainer and what to seek in one. Source: Happy Puppy Tips. Link. INSIGHTS: As we expect our pets to be present in a variety of social environments it is critical to help them acquire the … [Read more...]
Red collars on dogs have meaning beyond fashion
This article falls into the learn-something-new-everyday category. Red is the universal sign for STOP, writes Wendy Rose Gould. It gives us reason to pause and be cautious. Gould interviewed pet experts who explained some dogs wear red collars, red bandanas or use red leashes as a safety warning. They also admitted not all dog owners are aware of or use this color-coded … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – October 12, 2022
Last month’s AHD posts September 2022 archives. Link. Last AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, October 7, 2022. Link. Research: Men are worse allies than they think Source: Harvard Business Review, October 7, 2022. Link. Despite the new DEI focus on allyship education and programming, research shows that women and other … [Read more...]
Socializing new puppies? Manage the right amount of playtime
A puppy’s critical socialization period runs from eight weeks to about 14 weeks, writes Pat Miller, CBCC-KA, CPDT-K. She asserts puppy owners shouldn’t put off this vital piece of development during this period. Failure to socialize a puppy well during this period can result in significant future behavioral challenges.” Source: Whole Dog Journal, July 12, 2022. Link. Well run … [Read more...]
New Pet Food Institute video features tips to keep pets’ weight in check
New and experienced pet owners need to be reminded of the importance of keeping dogs and cats at healthy weights, providing a complete and balanced diet and managing treat calories. The new 2-minute video, Feeding and Treating Tips for a Long and Healthy Life, is a good tool to share on social media, in newsletters and during consultations. Source: Petfood Industry, October … [Read more...]
Store pet food properly for best nutrition and value
Pet food is not getting cheaper. Many common storage methods are not the best way to ensure pet foods maintain their quality and are safe. Keep your pets food in its original packaging and be sure to properly seal it between feedings to keep it at its freshest. “ Source: Happy Puppy Tips. Link. … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – October 10, 2022
OSHA reminder re: employer responsibilities to protect workers during hurricanes, more pets abandoned and fewer adopted, pet safety during emergencies, exit strategies for small business, concerns about Monkeypox reverse zoonoses to pets, making time for professional development and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, October 10, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Backyard visitors spell RISK for pets, people
Opinion Omnivores for the most part, wild animals are opportunistic eaters. Pet food left or put out for them is akin to a free drive-in restaurant. Yet, their human-provided takeout represents less than 20 percent* of their caloric needs. Foxes, coyotes, raccoons, opossums, squirrels, skunks, deer and rodents are reservoirs for zoonoses and contribute to the number of … [Read more...]
Pet surrenders climb as pandemic conditions ease
Predictions that dogs and cats adopted during the pandemic would be returned to shelters in great numbers once the pandemic ended have not proven true. Other types of pets are not having the same luck. Advocates for smaller animals are seeing the beginning of a tide of reptiles, birds, rodents and fish being given up. Source: The New York Times, October 1, 2022. Link. Small … [Read more...]
Nationwide seeking votes for 2022 Hambone Award
Nationwide created the Hambone Award to honor the strangest, most hair-raising pet insurance claim of the year. Each story highlighted is meant to exemplify the strength of our pets and their pet parents, and to spotlight the amazing skills of their trusted veterinarians. <the award> is also a way to highlight all the things that can happen—and have happened—and the … [Read more...]
Quality of life exams
“Quality of life exams should be approached as an open, objective conversation,” says Jenifer Chatfield, DVM, Dipl. ACZM, Dipl. ACVPM. “Client owners need to be prepared to answer questions and not anticipate being judged. . . there is no right or wrong outcome, no good or bad news . . . there’s just what comes out of the conversation.” When a pet owner finds themselves being … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – October 3, 2022
Pandemic-era pet ownership boom continues, why the next 10 years of e-commerce will smash the last 10, securing small business grants, securing and optimizing small business technology, quiet quitting, small business loan options and more . . . Congratulations to the IBPSA Pet Care Business Excellence Award winners. Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, October 3, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – September 29, 2022
Last week’s most read posts – Veterinarians shouldn’t do it all. Link. Dealing with plastics. 2,4,5. . .Let’s review. Link. Need to vent? Link. Last AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, September 22, 2022. Link. ================================================== If a dog or cat smells like this, it’s time to see a veterinarian … [Read more...]
The meaning behind different dog sounds
Pat Miller, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, says there are generally six types of sounds dogs use to vocally communicate with humans or with other canines. She shares ideas about what the dog sounds might mean and how to decipher the different noises dogs make. Source: Whole Dog Journal, July 20, 2011. Link. Barks, growls, howls, whines, whimpers, even dog purring . . . dog sounds have … [Read more...]
Lepto on the rise
Michelle Evason, BSc, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM), says there is a global jump in the number of dogs diagnosed with leptospirosis, including some hot spots where lepto exposure and infections are likely to occur. Her article offers perspective on One Health concerns, hot spot areas and the ongoing need to embrace client education and use vaccine to prevent infections. . . . … [Read more...]
Vetoquinol announces 5 new Flexadin® products
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...]