New research found pregnancies in mares and mules were strikingly similar, with comparable ultrasound findings. Despite their inability to reproduce naturally mules make amazing surrogate dams. Source: The Horse, March 15, 2020. Link. “Mules can host the embryo of a mare, gestate normally, produce a good amount of milk, and have an incredible maternal instinct and ability,” … [Read more...]
New releases on EQUUS film channel
Got a horse person home from school? The EQUUS film channel offers lots of films covering many topics for horse people - after chores are done. You will need to subscribe after a 7-day trial period. Link. Source: Horse Network. March 20, 2020. Link. … [Read more...]
FDA amends definition of biologic products
The public has wondered for some time why seemingly outrageous pricing for insulin and other critical medications has been tolerated. In a move that may bring some relief, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has amended its definition of a biologic product. While it may seem like a bureaucratic move with little relevancy, it is a needed transitional step resulting from … [Read more...]
Fomite control: you, me, us, them, plus where they have been
Fomite: fo-mite Noun (plural fomites) (medicine, epidemiology). def: An inanimate object capable of carrying infectious agents (such as bacteria, viruses and parasites), and thus passively enabling their transmission between hosts. < link > Media coverage, though sometimes raucous, is a necessary tool to help communicate the importance of the need for societal … [Read more...]
AVMA advocating for veterinary practices as essential businesses
Although many businesses have temporarily closed, the AVMA is advocating for veterinary hospitals and ambulatory practices to be considered essential businesses and remain open during periods of mandated business closures, This is because veterinary hospitals “provide important animal and public health surveillance, deliver essential medical care for ill animals, and ensure … [Read more...]
Horses, horse owners and coronavirus (podcast)
Complimentary Sponsored Content from Merck Animal Health Dr. Nicola Pusterla, an equine infectious disease expert from the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, talks about coronaviruses and answers key questions in late February 2020. Can horses contract coronavirus? What is equine coronavirus? How is equine coronavirus spread? How … [Read more...]
You, me, us, and them as SARS-CoV-2 disrupts our world
CORONA VIRUS PANDEMIC EDITION These days of myriad, progressing and conflicting COVID-19 articles, blog posts and news releases should be the stuff on which a curation business thrives. The AHD team will do our best to provide factual SARS-CoV-2 material that supports our objective to focus on sharing actionable information in the context of how animal health pros live, work … [Read more...]
Phytochemical richness improves animal health
“There’s a big difference between a couple of beers and a case,” writes R.P. ‘Doc’ Cooke in his essay on how phytochemicals produced by plants, usually to help them thrive or to thwart competitors, predators or pathogens. He reminds us that they can be important nutrients for grazing animals as well. Source: BeefProducer, March 3, 2020. Link. Mineral rich soil (calcium is … [Read more...]
Sometimes the wrong words just come out
Most people mean well. Veterinary teams often face clients whose prized animal should be put down or has died. It’s an emotional time for all. Despite best intentions during these times we end up eating our foot. The folks at CareBridge offer some perspective worth consideration. Source: CareBridge. Link. So why do insensitive and downright dumb things pop out of the mouths … [Read more...]
Wet hay, straw and grains create risk for animal owners
If you’ve ever dunged-out straw, shavings and manure-filled stalls or a chicken coop after a rainy week, you will recognize how easily mold, fungi and bacteria could be present in that substrate. Rob Riley, MD, shares how an allergic reaction to mold and bacteria in the lungs causes inflammation. This health issue is known as hypersensitivity pneumonitis or farmer’s lung. … [Read more...]
Stifle surgery and treatments: Guarded prognosis and more doesn’t help
Horses have been observed to have problems with the stifle joint for a long time. In recent years, these joints are getting noticed and treated more, yet remain an uncommon area from which lameness arises. The stile is a big joint and it’s an important one overall. Davey Ramey, DVM, discusses the challenges of stifle surgery, realistic outcomes and therapeutic options that … [Read more...]
Rural Media Group announces new streaming service, RFD-TV Now (video)
Complimentary Sponsored Content RMG has just announced expanded streaming service under a new name: RFD-TV Now. It offers improved searchability, increased security, and added features such as the ability to “favorite” shows or binge watch them by season. This is good news for animal health pros who enjoy FarmHer, rodeos, horsemanship features, cattle topics like DocTalk, … [Read more...]
AVMA cautions outdoor enthusiasts about risks to their animals
The AVMA recognizes the need to increase awareness among other outdoor enthusiasts so that they are aware of the risks their pets face during outdoor adventures and what precautions they should take. The association offers excellent resources to guide animal owners to reduce risks to pets and competing animals. Source: AVMA. Link. Disease prevention quick tips … [Read more...]
CDC to retail industry: dust off preparedness plans NOW
Whether it is COVID-19 or something else, proactive preparedness is important for businesses and communities. CDC recently highlighted four key preparedness areas for businesses and employers to consider during a conference call convened by the National Retail Federation: Continuity Protecting the workforce Customers Community Source: National Retail … [Read more...]
COVID-19 could be lemons or lemonade. We can make the difference.
March 2020: Update on SARS-CoV-2 and the COVID-19 it causes Hundreds of coronaviruses circulate among animals including cattle, camels, bats, pigs, cats and dogs. Sometimes these viruses jump to humans (a spillover event) and may cause disease. SARS-CoV-2 virus is a betacoronavirus, like MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV. All three have origins in bats. SARS-CoV-2 causes the disease … [Read more...]
Spring checklist for horse owners
Sponsored Content Ben Franklin’s well known axiom, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” describes the checklist for equine enthusiasts eager to participate in first big trail ride, show or clinic of the season. Dee McVicker and Christine Barakat offer five areas for horse owners as a pre-season checklist: Health status Weight Fitness Transport … [Read more...]
Colostrum, more than just immunoglobulins (webinar video)
Colostrum is important to all mammal newborns. It is essential for the final development and maturation of the gastrointestinal tract and immune system. Calves that receive high-quality colostrum have higher survival rates, lower age at conception, and will yield more milk through the second lactation. Michael Steele shares information on colostrum supplementation, the … [Read more...]
Rangeland owners need a plan to manage fire ants.
Sponsored Content Red imported fire ants can only be suppressed, or managed, on farm and ranches. They cannot be eradicated. Broadcast applications of some bait-formulated insecticides help get rid of the populations for about a year. Antixx Fire Ant Bait <link> from AHD sponsor Neudorff USA is an efficacious component in a long-term fire ant management strategy. … [Read more...]
March is Pet Poison Prevention Month
Beyond chocolate, a variety of substances, foods and plants are toxic to pets. It is important to reinforce the potential poison risks to pet owners throughout the year. Pet Poison Prevention Month also parallels the upcoming Poison Prevention Week <link> that takes place March 15 – 21. Source: Chocolate isn’t the only potentially fatal toxin for pets, Lifelearn, … [Read more...]
Needle technology advancing quickly
Alternatives to traditional hypodermic needles are improving rapidly, says Mark Wilson. He shares some of the advancements being developed for the human marketplace. These will interest some animal health pros. Now if the world of science could just do something about people’s irrational fear of vaccines, we’d really have something.” – Mark Wilson Source: Fast Company, … [Read more...]
Manage fire ants with planning
Red imported fire ants infest pastures, hay fields, barns and equipment. They injure livestock, horses, pets and us, too. Creating a fire ant control plan helps ensure the greatest efficacy using the right products. Antixx Fire Ant Bait <link> (link to tech sheet PDF) from AHD sponsor Neudorff USA is an effective tool that fits a sound fire ant management plan. Spinosad, … [Read more...]
Good VCPR important for all animals, even horses
David Ramey, DVM, shares experiences in managing the VCPR with horse clients. He focuses on the challenges of communications and reminds us that the P is what it is all about. . . . it seems that just about anything that I say to people about their horses comes with an undertone of apprehension. Given that people are asking me advice for how to care for their horses, I am … [Read more...]
National FFA Week in progress (video)
Agriculture is more than planting and harvesting. It involves science, business and more. There’s no doubt that some of today’s 700,000-plus FFA members are tomorrow’s future biologists, chemists, veterinarians, engineers and entrepreneurs. 2020’s National FFA Week (Feb. 22-Feb. 29) is a time for FFA members to host activities that raise awareness about the role of FFA in … [Read more...]
Equine body condition tips
Gauging a horse’s weight without a scale is inexact, so most horse owners must rely on other methods for monitoring their horses’ body condition. Veterinarians and nutritionists encourage horse owners to use the Henneke Body Condition Scoring system. Factors such as height, breed, and reproductive status will affect weight, and you can’t identify a ‘healthy weight range’ that … [Read more...]
Helping foals survive in this pathogen-filled world
Christa Lesté-Lasserre, MA, reminds us that an uneventful arrival of a new foal isn’t a guarantee that all is going to be fine. She provides the green lights and red flags of neonatal health along with guidelines on how to handle the warning signs and what to expect if a foal’s health goes downhill. Source: The Horse, February 2020. Link. (paywall) Lesté-Lasserre discusses … [Read more...]
Free horse advice is worth what you pay for it
Not discounting internet and social relationships, Kaylon Sullins Robinson asserts there are questions that when asked online could lead you and your horse into a dangerous or unhealthy situation. She highlights three: Should I call the vet? How can I fix this? What bit should I use? Note that Robinson recommends calling the veterinarian or trainer in each of her … [Read more...]
Fire ants getting busy, especially after heavy rains
Sponsored by Neudorff USA Already fired up by warmer weather, red imported fire ants will become even more active and dangerous after recent heavy rains in southern states. Livestock, poultry and pet owners are advised to watch for the telltale mounds the pests build. Newborn calves and foals are especially at risk in … [Read more...]
The scoop on poop. Fecal microbiota transplantation in horses.
Treating a horse with diarrhea is expensive and inconvenient. The clinical impression at Tufts Equine Center is that fecal transplant is an effective treatment. Its clinician-scientists wanted to look closer into the effects of fecal transplant on the gut of treated horses. Cummings School researchers have been working to document the effects and mechanisms of this … [Read more...]
Saying goodbye, a horse owner’s difficult decision
It is relatively uncommon these days for a horse to die of natural causes, writes Natalie Voss. At some point a horse owner, along with their veterinarian, will need to decide when it’s appropriate to euthanize. . . . it is best to think about end-of-life plans for horses regardless of age” Source: Acreage Life, March 2020. Link. Predetermine what is an acceptable quality of … [Read more...]
Opinion – Caretaker training improves animal welfare
Samantha Marais presents the value of employee training and how it improves pig welfare. From this, we can assume that training people to care for animals of any species likely increases animal welfare. Our industry routinely separates food animals, companion animals, equine and poultry. Universally however, people receiving proper and continuing education about animals in … [Read more...]