All the time we’ve spent at home with dogs isn’t as beneficial as we initially thought. Trainer Dale Buchanan is seeing an increase in adult dogs that are suddenly developing serious behavior issues related to stress and anxiety. He suggests these changes are likely coming from the stress and anxieties of their WFH owners. The dogs are most likely over-stimulated and … [Read more...]
The endocannabinoid system and phytocannabinoids
Beyond obvious regulatory challenges, there is a definite need to ensure the safety and effectiveness of cannabis use in animals. The challenge for pet owners and veterinarians is to become educated with about the endocannaboid system and cannabis administration. Gary Richter, DVM, MS, provides an introduction to understanding how the endocannabinoid system functions and how … [Read more...]
Top 5 consequences of brachycephaly
Cute or not, dogs that look like they ran headlong into a wall at 60 mph have problems. Anne Fawcett, BVSc, MVS, MANZCVS, DECAWBM, shares how brachycephalic conformation is associated with multiple health problems, some of which can be life-threatening and most of which are lifelong. Awareness of the consequences of brachycephaly is important when advising pet owners about … [Read more...]
10 dog breeds known to turn on their owners
There are dog owners who swear their pet would never attack them. However, some dog breeds are more dangerous than others. The authors compiled a list of 10 of the most dangerous dog breeds often make headlines. We’re sharing them with animal health pros who want to offer additional safety and training information with owners of these breeds. American Pit Bull Terrior … [Read more...]
Some perspective on drive-through or curbside services
COMMENTARY Louis Sullivan (1856-1924) helped pioneer and change the face of architecture. This quote is attributed to him, “form follows function.” In this context, writer Mark Wilson reviews fast food chains’ $290 billion race for the perfect drive-through. What does this have to do with animal health? Drive-throughs have been a staple of fast-food revenue for decades, … [Read more...]
This week is National Dog Week
National Dog Week was established in 1928. It was the brainchild of Captain Will Judy, a veteran of World War I and an ordained minister who devoted his life to educating Americans on the spiritual bond connecting humans and canines. As the publisher of Dog World magazine, he used it to urge his readers to treat dogs with kindness and respect. National Dog Week…has had the … [Read more...]
Water quality and the microbiome
Drinking water quality is considered important to the health and productivity of pigs and all animals for that matter. The classification of "quality" water includes more than just the mineral content. Preliminary data from a study at North Carolina State University suggests that drinking water and location may influence the sow microbiome. . . . oral, nasal, rectal and … [Read more...]
Don’t kiss the calves.
We’ve featured more than a few posts about not kissing chickens. The same caution applies to calves. According to Jeff Bender, DVM, MS, DACVPM, the Centers for Disease Control reported 59 disease outbreaks tied to animal contact in 2017. Of these, 25 were linked to farm livestock and 15 to poultry. Source: Dairy Herd Management, September 14, 2020. Link. The zoonotic … [Read more...]
The latest on RHDv
Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV) is a calicivirus that affects rabbits. This includes wild and domesticated European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), from which our own domesticated rabbits are descended. Outbreaks in the southwest U.S and in New York are occurring in 2020 < link > Any sudden rabbit death is suspicious and should be reported to your veterinarian … [Read more...]
Include pets’ fate in estate planning
Including the fate of pets in estate plans is not typical advice from an estate-planning attorney writes, Tony McReynolds. He shares advice about including what will happen to pets in end-of-life planning from attorney and author Kelli Brown, JD, LLM. . . . many pets are relinquished because their owners went into an extended-care facility without having named a designated pet … [Read more...]
Don’t wait! Fix by 5 Months reduces feline issues.
Performing a spay or neuter before a cat reaches maturity has benefits beyond preventing unwanted pregnancy. Reiterating the value of the Feline Fix by Five initiatives launched in 2016, the author reminds us of best practices to help manage the health and welfare of cats, plus curtail the ongoing overpopulation in our country and the world. Source: Veterinary Practice News, … [Read more...]
Dealing with clingy cats
Chronic clinginess can lead to full-blown separation anxiety for some sensitive cats, says Nicholas Dodman, BVMS. The constant stress not only puts your cat at risk for illness, but also makes his quality of life marginal at best. He offers several ways to address unwanted behaviors. . . . rather than pushing the cat away, stop what you’re doing and give him your full … [Read more...]
Got pets? Put the toilet lid down.
Some of the reasons for a pet drinking out of the toilet are rather sensible . . . at least on the surface. Jennifer Coates, DVM, discusses bacterial risks, cleaning product residues and the importance of providing pets clean water sources other than the toilet. When was the last time you dumped and scrubbed your pet’s water bowl? If you can’t remember, the water in the toilet … [Read more...]
Ways to recognize feline OA
Complimentary Sponsored Content from Zoetis by way of Clinician’s Brief Veterinarians report they diagnose OA in cats less frequently than in dogs. Yet nearly 40 percent of all cats have clinical signs of OA, and 90 percent of cats over age 12 have radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis. If you’ve not taken time to review the information and resources available here from … [Read more...]
Managing OA in all stages and ages
For most dog owners, canine osteoarthritis in not a consideration in the daily life of their animal until it has already affected function. OA is often not diagnosed until it is already in stage 3. Myths that exist about canine osteoarthritis include: OA is a geriatric disease Growing fast is a sign of health Exercise causes OA in dogs Dogs with OA should not … [Read more...]
Practical preventive care profitability detailed in resource
A new AAHA resource explores how veterinarians can up their profits while also offering optimal care. It builds on two previous documents, Implementing Preventive Care Protocols, published in 2019, and Promoting Preventive Care Protocols: Evidence, Enactment, and Economics, released in 2018. Preventive Care Protocols and Practice Economics < link > explores potential … [Read more...]
Pet owners rank ‘animal welfare’ near ‘no artificial’
Humane husbandry is now as important to pet owners as not including synthetic ingredients in pet foods, according to recent survey information. Nearly half of U.S. pet owners surveyed considered natural and organic pet food to be safer than regular food. Sustainability, animal welfare and ethical sourcing of ingredients, those all have a lot of play remaining in the overall … [Read more...]
Pet safety hurricane kit checklist available (infographic)
The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 and includes the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. Hurricane Sally reached the Gulf Coast early yesterday morning. With it come risks to not only humans, but equally to pets. PetMD has provided an infographic and a helpful pet safety hurricane checklist for what to do before the storm and … [Read more...]
AAHA/AAFP introduce new feline vaccination guidelines
Consensus is a challenging part of scientific work, let alone developing guidelines to cover all the possible needs of any animal. Working together, the AAHA and AAFP tackled the collective needs of felines by updating the feline vaccination guidelines to serve the cat population and account for individualized vaccination protocols. It’s no longer just indoor cats versus … [Read more...]
Veterinarian’s Tik-Tok video on pet store products goes viral
What a great idea! Hunter Finn, DVM, made two videos highlighting items to avoid at the pet store. He references the overwhelming amount of options and how marketing and colorful products play a huge role in the consumer's decision. Unfortunately, those well-marketed products are not always what’s best for pets. Finn speaks specifically to rawhide, bones, jerky treats, rope … [Read more...]
Client handout, Why vaccinate my pet?, is helpful
The key to compliance for vaccines, flea, tick and heartworm prevention, even osteoarthritis is continual education to support preventative products and processes. Vaccination is a hot topic during the 2020 pandemic period. With all the press comes increased awareness and scrutiny of vaccination in general. Efforts to support the World Rabies Day 2020 events on September … [Read more...]
Rabies laws: What you need to know
September 28th is the 14th World Rabies Day < link >. Meanwhile, laws surrounding rabies vaccination and exposure vary across the United States. Kate Boatright, VMD, shares what animal health pros need to know about rabies laws. SAY WHAT? . . . only 39 states mandate rabies vaccination for dogs; 11 states have no statewide legal requirement for rabies vaccination of … [Read more...]
Rats on the rise during the pandemic?
Researchers at three universities indicate the number of people reporting rat sightings has increased since the Covid-19 pandemic began. Citing past examples, researchers share that rat populations increase after natural catastrophes. Source: Dairy Herd Management, August 31, 2020. Link. The two most common rats found in the United States are Norway and Black rats. Both … [Read more...]
Rabies response
We received a compliment about a recent post about rabies in cattle < link >. Rabies is a focus for this person’s company as part of their wildlife removal services. We’veve included rabies information from their website. It is worthy of sharing with animal owners via social media and newsletters. . . . even in 2020, there are some states that only require rabies … [Read more...]
Dealing with skin issues
Cliff Faver, DVM, addresses how easily pet owners get led astray when it comes to skin issues. His discussion surrounds all the advice people readily espouse on Facebook without asking basic clarifying questions. <speaking to groomers> . . . the most important job we do is restore the skin back to normal. The issue here is that the body is fighting us. That is why it is … [Read more...]
Reminder: Foxtail threatens dogs’ health
Foxtail grass isn’t present only in California, but the state is definitely ground zero for this injurious plant. Its seeds can penetrate dogs anywhere on their bodies. The seeds are very hard and tipped with a sharp point that is capable of puncturing a dog’s skin and entering his body. Attached to the seed are long, fibrous awns, which are covered with microscopic bristles … [Read more...]
Refresh your Lyme knowledge
“We learned about that years ago,” is not uncommon to hear when visiting with animal health pros. BUT, consider when or if pet owners last received Lyme disease education. With tick-associated Lyme disease migrating westward, it is important to include Lyme disease education with recommendations for flea, tick and heartworm medications to reduce the potential for B. … [Read more...]
Precautions for reintegrating dogs in daycare post-WFH
Michelle Semanski discusses the likelihood of some dogs being different post-work-from-home than they were before. She recommends slow reintroduction of any individual dog to be sure it can get along with kids. . . . dogs who grew up in daycare may have lost their puppy innocence” Semanski says resource guarding, separation anxiety or high arousal are common behaviors that … [Read more...]
Cushing’s Pet Nation is now available
Mark Cushing’s highly anticipated book, Pet Nation, is now available from a variety of sources. Cushing, heretofore best known for his work on animal policy as founder and managing partner of the Animal Policy Group, LLC, brings pets into new light and the big changes happening right in front of us NOW. Pet Nation shows us not only what our love of animals says about our pets, … [Read more...]
The vet’s office; an economic bright spot in the U.S. health system
Animal hospitals appear to have pulled off something human hospitals have struggled to do: make patients feel comfortable seeking routine care, writes Sarah Kliff. Fueled by more comprehensive observation of pets while working from home and the massive wave of pet adoptions, volumes have taxed clinic teams nationwide. Source: New York Times, August 10, 2020. … [Read more...]