A venomous bite is called an envenomation. Venomous snakes found in the U.S. include rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths/water moccasins and coral snakes. Each year, an estimated 7,000 to 8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes in the U.S., and about five of those people die <Link>. According to the Morris Animal Foundation, approximately 150,000 dogs and cats in … [Read more...]
Living with the Budweiser Clydesdales
Warm Springs Ranch sits just off Interstate 70 halfway between Kansas City and St Louis, Missouri. Amy Trout manages the ranch home where most of the Budweiser Clydesdales live. She shared what her job is like overseeing the horses' care and breeding with Insider’s Asonta Benetti. If you’ve not toured the Clydesdales’ home, it is worth the trip! Budweiser has been using … [Read more...]
10 veterinary trends worthy of attention
Bob Lester, DVM, shares trends in the veterinary profession he is watching. He outlines 10 of the galvanizing issues facing veterinary medicine: The workforce shortage The rise of the connected pet Regulatory The bond Veterinary education Consolidation Work-Life Segmentation Preventive care Team health care delivery Source: Today’s Veterinary … [Read more...]
Tips for controlling flies in livestock herds
Includes Commercial References Flies are a problem wherever you find them. For beef producers, there are four types that impact livestock herd health and productivity: houseflies, horn flies, stable flies and face flies. These are the same flies drawn to garbage, pet feces, roadkill, compost bins, backyard chicken coops and our outdoor activities that include food. Kansas … [Read more...]
Health and comfort for the aging horse
Aging isn’t a disease process. Many conditions associated with older horses are simply natural changes. Christine Barakat writes about the five health attributes most affected by age and how to prepare for them: Weight loss Arthritis Weakened immune system Loss of fitness Dental troubles Source: EQUUS, May 27, 2022. Link. INSIGHTS: Share this with owners … [Read more...]
Changes coming to compounded animal health medication
Complimentary Content Thank you, Nicole Clausen, Veterinary Care Logistics, for bringing this to our attention. FDA's Guidance for Industry (GFI 256) will affect how you order and prescribe compounded medications, according to Wedgewood Pharmacy. We noted these statements in its document: Veterinarians are responsible for understanding all applicable state regulations … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – August 4, 2022
Last week’s most read posts The oral microbiome, new in the clinical practice of dentistry. Link. Grief balloon ends up scaring a pony. Link. The all-important pre-purchase exam of a horse. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, July 28, 2022. Link. ========================================= AVMA delegates pass policies … [Read more...]
Why horses kick
Horses kick to deliver different messages to their herd mates, writes Jennifer Williams, PhD. She shares what a horse's kicking means and what can be done to deal with this potentially dangerous behavior. Source: EQUUS, July 23, 2022. Link. Some situations will compel practically any horse to lash out–to protect himself or to relieve pain. Yet in other cases kicking is a bad … [Read more...]
How to safely travel with horses
Whether horses travels by road or by air, owners must be aware of the complications that may occur due to transportation, including traumatic injuries, diarrhea, muscular problems, respiratory problems, overheating, colic and even laminitis. The AAEP encourages equine veterinarians and horse owners read Practical Guidelines to Assess Fitness for Transport of Equidae to … [Read more...]
Veterinary Virtual Care Association releases model telemedicine regulations
The Model Telemedicine Regulations released during the AVMA annual conference this week facilitate the practicing veterinarians’ trained judgment and address the growing demand for guidance surrounding the veterinary client patient relationship when providing telemedicine services. The VVCA issued these regulations as a framework to provide support and direction for … [Read more...]
Coalition of veterinary groups launches telehealth initiative
The Coalition for Connected Veterinary Care launched this morning at AVMA Convention 2022 in Philadelphia. The founding members are the AVMA, Veterinary Study Groups and Merck Animal Health, along with more than 30 veterinary organizations and companies that have signed on so far. The coalition will develop education and resources to help veterinarians integrate telehealth … [Read more...]
Potentially deadly bacteria been found in U.S. soil and water for the first time
Note: This piece is important considering how frequently potential non-human disease hosts are transferred across the world in shipping containers, hay and grain, between shelters, in a variety of animal trailers and on migratory species. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has asked healthcare workers to look for symptoms of melioidosis in patients. Melioidosis … [Read more...]
Preventing thumps
Synchronous diaphragmatic flutter, thumps for short, is a metabolic disorder in horses. Typified by rhythmic twitching of the muscles near a horse’s flanks, thumps is a warning that his internal calcium reserves are running low. Laurie Bonner and Melinda Freckleton, DVM, share how to address active thumps in horses when they occur and how to avoid future incidents in horses … [Read more...]
The all-important prepurchase exam of a horse
Chris White, DVM, shares what to expect and the value of a pre-purchase exam of a horse a client is considering buying. There’s nothing worse for DVMs than performing a post-purchase exam on a horse that didn’t receive a PPE and delivering the news that a new equine companion has terrible navicular changes or severe kissing spines” - Chris White, DVM Source: The Horse, July … [Read more...]
Grief balloon ends up scaring a pony
A recent Facebook post is a grim reminder how dangerous balloon releases are to animals. Here is an edited version of that post. To the person who sent balloons skyward. I am sorry you lost your dad, but I am afraid the balloon didn’t reach him. Instead, I might have lost a pony. This was in our horses’ field. The balloon string got stuck in our pony’s mouth. When he put his … [Read more...]
Beware of blister beetles
Blister beetles secrete cantharidin to defend themselves from predators through a process called reactive bleeding. Cantharidin is also released when beetles are crushed. Blister beetles are members of a family of plant-feeding insects (Meloidae) that contain cantharidin, a toxic defensive chemical that protects them from predators. Accidentally crushing a beetle against … [Read more...]
A horse’s tongue, a sensitive and important organ
Jillian Sinclair shares why the tongue matters and how to protect it. A horse’s tongue can be injured in a variety of ways. Harsh bit use, sharp hardware on buckets, habitual chewing and even accidents during dental procedures can all damage a tongue. Source: Horse and Rider, July 14, 2022. Link. It’s always a safe option to have a veterinarian conduct any oral exam.” … [Read more...]
10 things you can do for a horse with heaves
Equine asthma, commonly known as heaves, is not something to be cured. EQUUS editors provide common sense actions to help manage individual horse comfort and respiratory health including: Wetting or steaming hay Changing stalls and bedding Increasing ventilation Consider adding an omega-3 fatty acid supplement Source: EQUUS, July 9, 2022. Link. INSIGHTS: Use … [Read more...]
Equine practice carries high risk of injury
According to a British study, equine veterinary practice carries the highest risk of injury of any civilian profession. Panelists Drs. Louise Batt and Tovah Caldwell discuss safety in the veterinary practice with AAEP’s Practice Life podcast host Mike Pownall. Source: AAEP Practice Life, June 24, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
3G sunset may affect sensors and alarms in animal production, systems, safety
Complimentary Commercial Content Many have already upgraded smartphones as the FCC opened more bandwidth to service 4G and 5G devices. However, there still may be 3G devices used daily that are greatly affected, such as various alarms on water systems, feed flows, ventilation systems and overflow alarms. An educational packet from BarnTools™ caught our attention. Animal … [Read more...]
7 important facts about mosquitos and horses
Mosquitoes are likely more dangerous to horses than they are to humans. Reminding horse enthusiasts about Eastern-, Western- and Venezualian equine encephalomyelitis along with West Nile virus, Aimee Elyse Robinson shares seven important facts that tie to risk management for horses. Vaccinate proactively, move the air, removing standing water is not a cure-all, and avoid dawn … [Read more...]
Straight talk about colic and post-colic care
Our June 28 AHD Bulletin presented resources available for equine practitioners and their clients from ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance <Link>. In the first of two articles linked here, Anthony Blikslager, DVM, PhD, shares experiences from his 20 or more years of specializing in colic. His main motivation remains to find ways to “shorten horses’ hospital visits, reduce … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – June 30, 2022
Last week’s most read posts Vaccine guide is helpful for newbies and pros. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, June 23, 2022. Link. =================================== If we love our pets so much, why do we treat their veterinarians so poorly? Source: Boston Globe, February 15, 2022. Link. “They give their all to our … [Read more...]
Boehringer-Ingelheim shares music track designed to help relieve stress in horses
Complimentary Commercial Content This is a music track, but not just any music track. It’s specially designed to help relieve stress in horses. The Relax Trax audio is also available for download at https://equinerelaxtrax.buzzsprout.co... Source: Boehringer Ingelheim US: Equine Health, You Tube, June 23, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
8 summer horse health concerns
Horses are not really designed for summers, writes Christine Barakat. She shares the need for vigilance as the summer progresses to monitor hooves, heat stress, insect allergies, sunburn and more. Source: EQUUS, June 16, 2022. Link. INSIGHTS: This article is a good reminder for horse owners. Consider it for newsletters, social media and as a resource for 4-H, horse camp … [Read more...]
Colic. What a pain in the gut!
Sponsored Content Colic is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in horses whose specialized digestive tract is easily thrown out of balance. Experts say 4 percent to 10 percent of all horses will experience at least one episode of colic in their lifetime. While most cases are resolved on the farm with medical treatment, approximately 10 percent to 15 percent of cases … [Read more...]
Petco begins serving rural pets and farm animals
Petco launched a community-driven test concept to address the health and wellness needs of pets and farm animals in rural communities. The grand opening of the first location was in Floresville, Texas, last Friday. The Neighborhood Farm & Pet Supply centers will be new, standalone retail facilities located at the heart of small towns and rural communities. The company … [Read more...]
10 benefits of magnesium for horses
While magnesium is an essential mineral for horses’ health, they can experience magnesium deficiency and toxicity. Emily Fought shares its benefits, but advocates horse owners consult with equine nutritionists to ensure individual horses get the right amount. Source: Cowgirl, May 19, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
12 pet safety tips for the 4th of July
Firework fears, fireworks debris, heat, humidity, water, hot pavement, cook-outs and more create risks for pets in the coming days. Animal health pros can’t overcommunicate the need for animal safety and caution as the holiday activities commence. Source: ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance. Link. … [Read more...]
The risks of poor arena air quality
Airborne particles and ammonia fumes in your horse’s stall are a concern, but so is the air quality in your indoor arena, writes Christine Barakat. Dampening arena footing with water may slightly cut down on the dust for a short period of time, but the only long-term solution is to replace the footing. A dusty indoor arena can be harmful to your horse’s respiratory health as … [Read more...]