Anaplasmosis is a common disease with worldwide distribution in cattle. It is transmitted through tick and fly bites , as well as blood contaminated instruments like needles, tattoo tools, castration equipment and dehorning instruments. Once an animal becomes infected, it is infected for life. Successful antibiotic therapy curing the clinical signs of infection results in a … [Read more...]
Destroy a dairy cow in three months
A dairy cow can be destroyed in three months with worn or incorrect milking system liners and poor hygiene. Aging liners are the single biggest cause of chronic mastitis in herds. Multiple studies prove if dairy farmers use old liners on fresh cows, the damage to teat-ends starts immediately.” Source: The Bullvine, August 2, 2022. Link. The liner is the interface between the … [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...]
The price of canine cancer treatment stunned her
Kim Kavin’s 12-year-old mutt, Blue, was diagnosed with a tumor. An oncologist offered hope, but it would be expensive. Kavin had already $2,000 in three days and the next CT scan was going to be $2,500. Radiation therapy after that would be $9,500. Blue received stereotactic radiation, a gold-standard radiation treatment for humans. Fortunately, Kavin held a pet insurance … [Read more...]
Improving the narrative on pet food
Pet food is deeply personal for many cat and dog owners and their choices are compounded by the explosion of choices. Raw, organic, fresh, frozen and nearly any other human food trend you can imagine make pet food choices challenging. Ernie Ward DVM, CVFT, says, “to successfully educate and avoid offending clients, veterinary professionals need to have a communication strategy, … [Read more...]
Workflow resource leverages PiMS automation features
Complimentary Commercial Content These FREE workflows relieve some of the burden of inventory management by leveraging the automation features in your PiMS including ordering, receiving and dispensing items. Our FREE resource is for inventory managers, practice owners, and anyone who is struggling with their in-house inventory.” – Nicole Clausen, CSSGB, CCFP, CVBL Source: … [Read more...]
Universal PiMS integration and building an ecosystem using the Mella desktop app
Complimentary Commercial Content During this online event that takes place August 9, learn how the Mella thermometer integrates with PiMS systems. This empowers veterinary staff to include temperature screening with each exam and get that information into the PiMs records. Register here: Link. Source: Mella Pet Care, Linked In, July 25, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
More on blue-green algae: When in doubt, keep out!
Toxic cyanobacteria or, blue-green algae is primarily a concern during the summer months, when it can be found in small lakes or ponds. Dogs can be exposed while swimming in lakes, ponds and pools of water caused by seasonal flooding and standing water, like that in abandoned swimming pools. Dogs are exposed by drinking or licking toxic water. Drinking directly from a pond, … [Read more...]
Creating an outdoor space for dogs and their people, PACCC webinar
Dogs need to go outside, and we can help overcome the reasons we don’t want to let our dogs outside when the weather isn’t great.” Webinar participants will learn about solutions to make play yards and backyards safe, fun and clean 365 days per year. Free to those who register, PACCC welcomes pet parents and pet professionals for this informative webinar. Webinar: August … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – August 1, 2022
Million$ still available nationwide in Covid recovery small business grants, SEO strategies, pet cloning growth in China, digital marketing help and more . . . Also don’t miss the webinar featuring Fear Free’s Mikkel Becker: Pushing Play for a Fear Free Boarding and Daycare Stay with a dog stuck in a stop, rewind, or fast-forward state, September 13 at 12:00pm CT. … [Read more...]
Communication gap between frontline employees and employers is real
Frontline employees are ambitious and eager to climb the career ladder. Among communication barriers is a stark disconnect between what frontline employees want and what employers think they want. Source: McKinsey, July 21, 2022. Link. Voices of frontline employees are largely missing from the discourse on career advancement, which tends to focus on other segments of the … [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...]
ASF moves in two distinct ways based on European incidence
Using European African Swine Fever historical data and spread patterns, Dennis DiPietre and Lance Mulberry hope to gain insight into the unique pathways, natural blocks and accelerated spread corridors within the U.S. In the EU, ASF moves in two distinct ways: The first case or two appear suddenly in an area with no discovered disease nearby. The disease gradually spreads … [Read more...]
Measuring lameness prevalence in dairy cows: Effects of case definition and assessment frequency
Identifying lameness is challenging. Without routine assessments, on-farm and consistent case definitions, understanding the percentage of dairy cows lame at any one time makes it difficult to determine the effect of lameness prevalence. Still, lameness at any level can cause pain, reduce milk production, shorten longevity and diminish reproductive performance. Researchers … [Read more...]
Checking pregnancy status early* can help with culling decisions
Cows that get pregnant early in the breeding season tend to stay in the herd longer than those who get bred late in the season. And those cows are also more productive as they produce calves with heavier weaning weights over the long term, according to Brad White, DVM and Bob Larson, DVM. Earlier preg checks may have some economic value as well. Source: BEEF, July 20, 2022. … [Read more...]
The secret language of heat stress: What dry cows are telling you.
Dairy farmers and veterinarians are noticing the effects of heat stress in the dry cow herd. While dry cows can stand a bit more heat than the milking herd, their comfort is important for optimizing future production. Research has shown that dry, pregnant cows or nulliparous pregnant heifers exposed to heat stress will make less milk in their next lactation, and their gestated … [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...]
Toxidromes for working dogs, plus the Beagle Brigade
Here is a primer for first responders with little to no training in emergency care of working dogs and veterinarians who have very little training on recognition of the clinical signs of many of the toxic agents to which working dogs are exposed (*e.g., the Beagle Brigade). With the increase in working dogs in the field it is imperative that we provide them with a similar level … [Read more...]
Dogtopia catering to a new breed of pet owners
Instead of going all in with a human baby, millennials are easing into parenthood with pets, or starter babies, which the generation affectionately refers to as fur babies. Neil Gill, CEO, president of Dogtopia, says millennials are taking pet parenthood seriously and they are not going it alone. They are seeking services to help them cater to their dogs’ needs beyond the … [Read more...]
Microbiological quality and presence of foodborne pathogens in raw and extruded canine diets and canine fecal samples
A Chilean study sought to determine pet food safety based on the presence of zoonotic pathogens in extruded and raw meat-based diets. The researchers also sought to determine the prevalence of Salmonella spp., C. jejuni, and L. monocytogenes in canine fecal samples. Moreover, the genetic relationship between bacteria isolated from pet food and fecal bacterial isolates was … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – July 25, 2022
China seeing pet industry growth, pet grooming insurance, Hill’s Pet Nutrition returns for the fifth consecutive year as a national sponsor of Clear The Shelters, inflations affect on small business and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites – July 25, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
AAHA and Petabyte Technology bring live benchmarking to the veterinary profession
The AAHA and Petabyte Technology have teamed up to bring the veterinary community AAHA Benchmarking. It is the first digital tool that uses live practice information management system data and advanced benchmarking analytics to practice performance insights compared to the broader veterinary industry. Petabyte’s software implements sophisticated algorithms that standardize … [Read more...]
VHMA’s look at DVM productivity, efficiency
More than 100 veterinary hospital managers provided information to create the feedback data for the July 2022 VHMA Insider’s Insights. The data confirms many of the now routine industry reports that note staffing issues, pressure to see more patients and longer hours. 63 percent believe their DVMs are significantly or somewhat more productive 31 percent said their DVMs … [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...]
Collaboration offers digital cattle record access
Superior Livestock Auction and Zoetis are collaborating to offer BLOCKYARD™ technology to cattle producers. The platform creates a digital copy of an animal, so wherever an animal goes, its data can follow. BLOCKYARD™ allows registered users to: Share genomic insights to inform price discovery, management, selection and breeding decisions Communicate genetic merit for … [Read more...]
Managing worms on summer pastures
Sandy Stuttgen, DVM, shares perspective on nematode management during different weather conditions and grazing approaches. Ostertagia, Cooperia, and Haemonchus nematodes’ life cycles occur within cattle and on grass. Using fecal egg counts and knowing when the L3 larvae will be most prevalent can help producers manage worm loads. As a rule of thumb, when weather conditions … [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...]