Biosecurity consultant Dan Hougentogler shares the challenges of improving biosecurity practices on dairies, especially those with multiple species on the farm. One of the bigger issues is to get producers to take biosecurity seriously. Source: American Agriculturist, October 21, 2024. Link. Changing the mentality is really about managing people to reduce our potential for … [Read more...]
3 reasons pet owners stop feeding raw meat-based dog food
Research on why pet owners stop feeding raw diets revealed these main reasons: Gastrointestinal intolerance The onset of disease Lack of interest from the dog in eating raw food Source: PETFOOD Industry, October 16, 2024. Link. Upon discontinuing RMBDs, 65 percent of owners switched to dry food, followed by wet food (44 percent) and home-cooked diets (26 percent). … [Read more...]
The alliance between human and cat was probably the cat’s idea
As cat popularity grows, understanding the history of the house cat is interesting if you’ve never considered it. It’s believed they evolved from wild cats roughly 12,000 years ago when humans moved to an agricultural lifestyle. Researchers suspect that all domestic cats descended from a subspecies of the Eurasian and African wildcat Felis silvestris, as well as Silvestris … [Read more...]
Training the head dunk for hyperthermia and ocular/nasal flush first aid in dogs (video)
Our October 1st post <Link> shared the value of voluntary head dunks to effectively cool dogs when they are getting too hot. Voluntary is a key word. Using the video accompanying the study paper linked here, pet owners and handlers can learn to teach their dogs to head dunk and implement this first aid technique for exercise-related cooling or ocular/nasal … [Read more...]
The science of species-specific music (video)
Ann Hohenhaus, DVM, DACVIM, shares some of the science and benefits of music for dogs. Researchers have found that dogs spend significantly more time lying and significantly less time standing when music was played, regardless of genre. Soft rock and reggae genres seem to help dogs relax most. Source: Schwarzman AMC, October 16, 2024. Link. Photo credit: RCA … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – October 21, 2024
October pet trends, marketing triggers for the new years ahead, optimizing retailer relationships with distributors, unconventional support animal use in complementary therapy for humans, euthanasia decisions, spring water for dogs and more . . . Source: IBPSA, October 21, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Elanco’s Canine Parvovirus Monoclonal Antibody shows improved survival rates for puppies
Complimentary Commercial Content Data collected over the first year of CPMA availability shows improvements in survival rates for puppies battling the deadly virus, enhanced operational efficiency and high satisfaction within veterinary clinics. Our recent real-world data shows that the Canine Parvovirus Monoclonal Antibody is giving puppies and veterinary clinic staff a … [Read more...]
Pet industry adapts to economic challenges, new trends
The pet industry has become accustomed to steady, consistent growth at high levels throughout the range of products and services offered. Richard Kestenbaum says that's over. There will still be growth, but it will be more choppy and more selective. Certain product classes will grow. Others will shrink. Certain marketing channels will be an opportunity. Others not. Consumers … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – October 17, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, October 10, 2024. Link. Most read posts from the October 10th AHD Bulletin – How to stop making excuses. Link. Larval therapy decreases layup time for coffin bone infection. Link. Oak mites join chiggers, mosquitos . . . big annoyance for pets, humans. Link. Explaining why cats chatter. Link. … [Read more...]
Russian scientists claim world’s first anti-aging pet food
Russian researchers have developed a pet food said to support longevity and combat age-related issues in pets. “The pet food is comprised of a combination of geroprotective substances such as epigallocatechin gallate, silymarin, curcumin, resveratrol and naringenin. Geroprotectors act by regulating some signaling pathways and molecular markers associated with aging and life … [Read more...]
How to use dog food toppers
Includes Commercial Content It seems every trip to the pet retailer reveals an ever-expanding inventory of pet food toppers. It is challenging to understand how to use them effectively to enhance dogs’ diets and not disrupt their basic nutritional needs. Toppers can enhance a dog’s meals, offering additional flavor, variety and nutritional benefits. Renee Streeter, DVM, … [Read more...]
How long is kennel cough contagious?
There is no black-and-white answer to how long kennel cough is contagious, writes Debra M. Eldredge, DVM. She advises pet owners to keep the dog out of his activities for a week after the last cough. Kennel cough, now called CRDC, can be caused by various bacteria and viruses. Kennel cough is highly contagious and can be spread via droplets, dog-to-dog and coughs that mist … [Read more...]
Keeping canine cognitive dysfunction at bay
Mental sharpness in dogs can decline over time. Some suffer from a serious condition called canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome. CDS is a neurodegenerative disease like Alzheimer’s disease in people and is more common than originally suspected. What is important for dog owners and veterinary professionals is to recognize changes that aren’t part of normal aging. Source: … [Read more...]
Vet Techs play critical role in pet healthcare
Commentary Celebrating veterinary technicians during National Veterinary Technician Week is important for individual and team morale. Handshakes, pizza lunches and bagels aside, animal-owning clients need help understanding the roles these experienced and educated animal healthcare professionals provide in a clinic or telehealth setting. Consider sharing the ASPCA® Pet … [Read more...]
Shelter dog behavior after adoption
Little is known about long-term dog behavior after adoption. Research published in PLOS ONE followed 99 dogs at 7, 30, 90, and 180 days after adoption, revealing a high prevalence of certain behaviors among the adopted dogs. Understanding how shelter dogs typically adjust to new homes over time can help set realistic expectations and guide interventions to support successful … [Read more...]
Dogs may be entering a new wave of domestication
Commentary Brian Hare says, “In just a generation, we humans have abruptly changed the rules on our dogs.” Maybe . . . maybe not. Yet his assertions are worthy of thought and, as animal health pros, our influence. Humans need to breed and train more puppies like service animals.” Source: The Atlantic via Microsoft Start, October 14, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: There is little … [Read more...]
The rise of the small animal pet market
Commentary The popularity of small pets continues to grow. In pet retail, this growth opens up many opportunities to cater to these feathered, furred and scaled animals, writes Lindsay Beaton. However, for veterinary and pet services businesses, specialty pets may prove challenging. Regardless, the metrics are worthy of review. They may generate some questions about … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – October 14, 2024
Supporting pets affected by Helene, rapid growth projected in pet sitting market, company culture, timing difficult conversations, pet owner spending and more . . . Source: IBPSA, October 14, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – October 9, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, October 3, 2024. Link. Most read posts from the October 3rd AHD Bulletin – “Social license to operate” topic drives equine gathering agenda. Link. Probiotics, prebiotics for feline digestive health. Link. Non-antibiotic approaches to canine recurrent UTIs. Link. Plain speak matters. Link. … [Read more...]
NAVC Gives awards $10,000 to the Veterinary Industry Giving Tree
The funds from NAVC Gives will support veterinary families in need, including those affected by Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina and other areas affected. Source: PR Newswire, October 8, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Ollie acquires DIG Labs, rolls out new Foodback Loop™ to elevate health services
Ollie, a subscription-based fresh dog food company, has acquired DIG Labs, an AI-powered diagnostic company, providing real-time, image-based pet health screenings across stool, weight management, skin and coat, dental care and more. The company shared its Foodback Loop™ is a revolutionary, closed-loop, and proprietary process that leverages over 20 million first-party data … [Read more...]
Explaining why cats chatter
Victoria Atkinson shares possible reasons to explain the quiet chattering noise cats sometimes make. There are no current studies investigating this behavior, however, cat owners and researchers have some possible explanations for the chattering behaviors. Cats can be seen and heard chattering in the You Tube video shown above <Link>. [6:29] Source: LiveScience, … [Read more...]
Gracie, Glacer National Park’s B.A.R.K. Ranger
Gracie a 10-year-old Border Collie is an official “Wildlife Working Dog.” Twice a week in the summer, she and owner-handler Mark Biel patrol Montana’s Logan Pass in Glacier National Park in an effort to curb wildlife encounters, especially bighorn sheep or mountain goats. Source: Thrillist, September 30, 2024. Link. B.A.R.K. stands for: Bag your pet’s waste Always … [Read more...]
Theories on why dogs do what they do
Many dog behaviors are inexplicable, but they have meaning. Experts share some theories on why dogs tilt their heads, eat grass, lean on us and more. Animal health pros can use this article for social media or newsletters to help dog owners attempt to decipher and understand their dogs' idiosyncratic behaviors. Source: Better Help. Link. Related: Educating pet owners on … [Read more...]
Food-moving behavior by dogs discussed
Joan Merriam’s article is interesting. She shares various theories to explain why dogs move their kibble and it ends up all over the floor and in various areas of the house. Among them are instinct, looking for comfort, and resource-guarding. Source: Whole Dog Journal, September 21, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Oak mites join chiggers, mosquitos, other insects as big annoyance for pets, humans
According to cicada expert Dr. Gene Kritsky, a particular mite known as the "oak leaf itch mite" can be seen in large amounts following a cicada emergence. The articles shared here offer information on these little critters known as Pyemotes herfsi. Oak leaf itch mites are nearly invisible to the naked eye (0.2 mm in length), but they are responsible for mite bite outbreaks in … [Read more...]
Walmart is expanding pet care services
Walmart is opening five more pet services centers after testing the first location near Atlanta. The centers offer vet visits and grooming. The pet services centers will have their own dedicated entrance next to a store under the Walmart name and staffed by employees of vet care and pet product company PetIQ. Source: CNBC, October 8, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Pet Product News top dog product picks of 2024
It is always a good idea for animal health pros to scan through new products. Treats, chew toys, a clear pet gate, a board game to play with a dog, car seat, functional supplements, special collars and more are featured here as winners of PPN's Editors' Choice Awards. Source: Pet Product News, October 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Pedigreed cat sales now outpace moggie cats
Cats Protection is the UK's leading cat charity. The charity’s 2024 report on cats and their stats indicates 45 percent of all cats acquired between March 2023 and March 2024 were pedigreed or purebred cats, compared to 43 percent moggies. The remainder was made up of cross-breeds. These data represent a significant shift in trends leading the organization to share concerns … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – October 7, 2024
Poopcopter is the world’s first aerial bound self-guided dog poop removal system, Fire Prevention Week, improving employee performance, dogs traveling, pet spending continues, the evolution of pet food processing and more . . . Note: The APPA is seeking speakers for The Pet Summit to take place from March 24th-26th, 2025, in Orlando, Florida alongside the Global Pet … [Read more...]