Midwest Food Bank is seeking volunteers and funds to transport hay to North Carolina livestock farmers struggling to secure enough feed for their cattle to survive the winter. To date, 650 large round alfalfa hay bales have been donated to Midwest Food Bank for this critical relief effort. Some shipments are already on their way. Volunteers are needed to transport the relief … [Read more...]
Can fecal microbiota transplantation help treat diarrhea in foals?
Fecal microbiota transplantation is a medical procedure that transfers healthy bacteria from a donor's stool into a patient's colon. In adult horses, FMT has been shown to improve intestinal diversity. Australian researchers explored the effects of treating diarrhea in foals using FMT and found it to be safe for foals. Source: The Paulick Report, November 11, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Four situations among the hardest for horse owners to deal with
Keeping the welfare of the horse in mind, Louann Chaudier shares managing through difficult decisions for a horse’s life quality and ways to decide on a course of action. She covers a) costly vet bills, b) firing professional help, c) selling the horse to save money and d) when the owner’s health intervenes. Source: Horse Illustrated, November 1, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: … [Read more...]
Medical-grade honey’s superior antibacterial activity
Honey is known as a natural, effective and safe alternative to traditional antiinfectives. But not all honey is alike. Researchers have discovered that medical-grade honey, particularly manuka honey, exhibits significantly stronger antibacterial properties compared to non-medical-grade honey. Source: Vet Candy, October 21, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Leptospirosis a post-hurricane risk
Commentary This article about the spikes in leptospirosis cases after Hurricane Fiona ravaged Puerto Rico in September 2022 serves as a warning to areas in the U.S. hit hard by Hurricane Helene. Whether people or animals, the elevated risks of leptospirosis require more vigilance and communication in healthcare communities. Source: IDSE, November 4, 2024. Link. Early … [Read more...]
Practices find value in Promoboxx® benefit from ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance
Sponsored Content Social media usage cuts across all demographic groups, be they generational, racial, gender-based or other. ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance has partnered with Promoboxx* to help practices capitalize on opportunities social media offers to promote practices and consistently engage with clients. The Promoboxx platform is currently provided at no … [Read more...]
Veterinarian shares what to know about splint bone injuries
Popped splints, or exostosis of the metacarpal or metatarsal bones, are a common finding in working and pastured horses alike. In this article, Fred Nostrant, DVM, discusses what horse owners should know about splint injuries. Consider his article for social media posts, newsletters and information for horse enthusiast groups. Source: The Horse, October 30, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
A fresh perspective on horse expenses
Complimentary, includes Commercial Content A recent study completed by Synchrony noted horse owners spend three to four times more than they initially estimated. Karen Hopper Usher provides a realistic overview of horse costs, where the expenses are derived and the importance of planning for expected and unexpected expenses. Source: The Horse. Link. In addition to … [Read more...]
Signs of back pain in horses
A horse’s back changes with age. In the article here, Barb Crabbe, DVM, teaches about a horse’s back and how to keep it healthy as he ages. She begins with an overview of back anatomy and then describes the most commonly diagnosed back problems. Back problems are difficult to diagnose in horses and challenging to treat. Source: Horse and Rider, December 4, 2023. Link. You … [Read more...]
Comparing professional and at-home laser therapy for horses
Includes Commercial Content Laser therapy is now recognized for its therapeutic benefits in veterinary medicine. Research supports its use in reducing inflammation, alleviating pain, and accelerating tissue repair and healing. In this article, the authors compare professional and at-home therapy approaches. Source: Equine Wellness, October 21, 2024. Link. For most equine … [Read more...]
Infection control, prevention and biosecurity. Is your plan current?
AAHA’s Infection Control, Prevention, and Biosecurity Guidelines have been available since 2018. Having an ICPB plan is critical to ensure the safety of pets, pet owners and clinic staff. A lot has happened in the six years since the guidelines were published, making updating any current plans important. Emily Singler, VMD, reviews the steps to create an effective ICPB and its … [Read more...]
Dairy biosecurity starts with mentality change
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...]
Water-soaked hay improved asthma in horses
Hay and bedding are a common source of airborne particles in horse barns. In a study published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, researchers found that soaking hay with water before feeding was effective in reducing the clinical signs of asthma. To be effective, a specific protocol must be followed. The hay must be soaked for 45 minutes and any dried hay that … [Read more...]
Research: Cushing’s treatment improves quality of life, but does not prolong life
Research by Hal Schott, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, provides evidence that long-term treatment of PPID with pergolide, an oral medication, over a period of five years or greater produced clinical improvement in nearly all affected horses. His study examined 15 PPID positive horses over 9.5 years, with seven of those receiving a dosage increase from years 1.7 to 4.7. His research showed … [Read more...]
Mizzou’s Mule-lennials
The Missouri mule team has been a fixture at the University of Missouri since 1984. To be considered a mule has to be a cross between a draft horse and a mammoth donkey, the world's largest breed of ass. This specific cross creates what is known as a Missouri Mule. Honoring National Mule Day taking place on October 26th, Brian Consiglio shares seven facts about Mizzou’s equine … [Read more...]
Horse Week is happening now
Complimentary Sponsored Content Horse Week is a free weeklong online film festival dedicated to horses. It takes place October 20–26, 2024. Films range from documentary features to quick training tips and include a lineup of brand new exclusives and award-winning favorites. Source: RIDE TV. Link. … [Read more...]
Allogrooming serves an important function in horses
It’s believed that grooming areas on the body that they can’t reach establishes and maintains social relationships, and may also foster trust and cooperation in horses. It also helps remove sweat, dirt, mud, lice, fleas and ticks and distributes natural oils throughout the coat. Sources: More than scratching an itch, The Paulick Report, October 4, 2024. Link. A … [Read more...]
Euthanasia. A horse owner’s final act of care.
Some of the more difficult horse ownership decisions come as the animal nears its end of life. Saundra Tenbroeck, University of Florida Extension horse specialist, provides reasoning for euthanasia or natural death, carcass disposal and thinking with your head and heart. Source: UF|IFAS Extension Panhandle Ag e-News, October 4, 2024. Link. Tenbroeck offers: Euthanasia, … [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...]
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...]
Larval therapy decreases layup time for coffin bone infection
A post from the Rood & Riddle Equine Podiatry unit is shared in the article here. The case described shares a thoroughbred with a recurrent abscess. Instead of debriding the infection and starting the horse on regional perfusions and systemic antibiotics, the doctors used larval therapy to debride the diseased tissue. The larval therapy technique involved a shorter layup … [Read more...]
Celebrate National 4-H Week (video)
National 4-H week celebrates how the organization helps prepare youth for success in college and careers. From October 7th through October 14th, the week will be marked by activities across the country, showcasing the talents and accomplishments of 4-H members. Whether through community service projects, leadership workshops or educational fairs, the week will shine a spotlight … [Read more...]
Meeting the challenges post-hurricane Helene
Hurricane Helene has devasted much of the southeast U.S. The damage to homes, businesses and transportation routes will impact our animal health business in many ways. Patience and understanding must prevail. Supporting first responders and local animal rescue organizations is important in the coming months. A colleague working the phone lines as a volunteer for Crisis … [Read more...]
“Social license to operate” topic drives equine gathering agenda
Public scrutiny of equine welfare is increasing despite humans having a relationship with horses for centuries. Horse owners, trainers, breeders, and riders must show the public that they are mindful of their horses' physical and mental well-being. To continue to enjoy horses, the equine industry must understand that issues cross all breed and discipline boundaries. Though the … [Read more...]
FDA establishes four Animal and Veterinary Innovation Centers
University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of California at Davis, Kansas State University and University of Arkansas are the recipients of funding for work to advance regulatory science and further develop innovative products and approaches to better support animal health and veterinary interventions. Source: National Hog Farmer, September 20, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Safety tips for clients when holding horses for farriers and vets
Horses can react suddenly, no matter how well-behaved they seem. Owners are often asked to help the veterinarian or farrier. Once a horse owner accepts care and control, THEY are made immediately responsible for ANYTHING that may happen while tending to the horse. This e-book is a handy resource to help clients remain safe and helpful, as well as keep the veterinarian, … [Read more...]
Survey: Only 1/3 of Americans have natural disaster plans for pets
Hurricane Helene is in the news <Link>. Floridians are prepping for her effects. Preparations for natural disasters should include pets, but as the August ’24 Talker survey reveals, many pet owners have no plans in place for their animals. This article outlines important elements of a comprehensive disaster plan for pets. It is suitable for sharing on social media, in … [Read more...]
Pet weight survey starts October 7th, includes horses
The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention will collaborate with veterinary practices and teaching hospitals to collect and report the weight and body condition scores of dogs, cats and, for the first time, horses. Veterinary clinics interested in recording the weights and scores of patients seen during routine examinations may register at bit.ly/APOPsignup. Source: Today’s … [Read more...]
Federal bill seeks to expand HSA, FSA eligibility to include veterinary care expenses
The People and Animal Well-being (PAW) Act aims to support pet owners by making veterinary care more affordable under Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). Source: Veterinary Practice News, September 17, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Study estimates superbug crisis could get worse, killing nearly 40 million people by 2050
A recently published study <Link> projects the challenge of antimicrobial resistance into the future. AMR, one of the top global public health and development threats, is expected to get worse. It is driven by the misuse and overuse of antimicrobial medications in humans, animals and plants. Source: CNN, September 16, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]