The parasitic New World screwworm has an interesting history in the United States, and the USDA has developed a series of interactive graphics to illustrate past and present eradication efforts. Source: Drovers CattleNetwork, February 15, 2016. The USDA interactive website illustrates the biology of the screwworm fly and uses maps to illustrate past and present eradication … [Read more...]
Understand the value therapeutic diets
The legitimacy of veterinary prescription or therapeutic diets is frequently scrutinized. While ingredients of these veterinary diets may appear similar, considerable testing goes into their formulations to be able to be called a therapeutic or prescription diet. This article covers considerable ground to explain the differences and reasons for veterinary oversight and the … [Read more...]
Weaning stresses impact piglet gut health
At weaning, piglets are faced with a combination of stresses to which they must quickly adapt, including diet, environment, social stress, maternal separation and more. David Saornil and Sylvie Roquefeuil focus on the impact of weaning stress on piglet digestive physiology and function. Source: Watt AgNet, February 9, 2017. (partial access only) As the industry faces … [Read more...]
Management tree helps determine Macrocyclic lactone-resistant heartworm disease resistance
Animal health pros dealing with heartworm or heartworm products will appreciate the management tree for successful resolution to determine if resistance to macrocyclic lactone preventives is a factor in canine heartworm patients. Source: Plumb’s Therapeutics Brief, November 2015. Resistance to macrocyclic lactone preventatives in canine heartworm cases has been proven, … [Read more...]
Involve dog owners to screen for cancer
The “Big C” often strikes fear in humans. When it involves their pets, the results can be devastating. Rodney Page, DVM, says owners must take responsibility for prevention of cancer. Annual physical exams, screening bloodwork and urinalysis are recommended for dogs more than seven years of age or from breeds prone to develop cancer. Source: Modern Dog, February 16, … [Read more...]
Latinos have changed our game
Latinos are key players when it comes to food product purchasing power, including dairy products. They also play strong roles when it comes to pet store spending. They’re willing to spend for food. Data from the HIS Global Insight Groups reveals Hispanics spent $103 billion on food at home. This is expected to grow 35 percent over the next five years, compared to 20 percent … [Read more...]
Measure what matters to your clients
Ed Blach, DVM, hits the nail on the head with this short post. He reminds veterinary teams that a small number of measures can have a dramatic impact on how your team serves your clients. Measure what matters to clients and you will deliver exemplary service. Source: Is My Practice Healthy?, February 19, 2017. Measure what matters to your clients. Measure: how long it … [Read more...]
Do you know your dog breeds?
If a customer requested assistance for their St. John’s Water Dog, today it would be called a: Newfoundland Barbet Boykin Spaniel Labrador Retriever Otterhound Source: Acreage Life, February 2017, page 44. Discover the answer here. … [Read more...]
UPS drivers don’t turn left
To UPS, the shortest distance between two points must avoid crossing oncoming traffic. We found this article intriguing. You likely will, too. Source: The Conversation, January 2017. It seems incredible that not turning left can lead to such significant savings. The TV series Mythbusters tested this idea and confirmed that, despite many more turns, the policy of only … [Read more...]
Chickens considered clever
Chickens may be as emotionally, socially and cognitively complex as most other birds and mammals, explains Mark Clements. Source: Watt AgNet, January 17, 2017. A study of peer reviewed scientific data on cognition, emotions, personality and sociality in chickens, exploring areas including self-awareness, cognitive bias, social learning and self-control, published in Animal … [Read more...]
Violence in veterinary practices – be prepared
Since 2006, news outlets have reported dozens of violent crimes against veterinary professionals in their workplaces in the United States, ranging from simple assault to homicide, murder–suicide, and rape, followed by murder. The offender may be a client, a stranger, a team member, or an outsider in a volatile relationship with a team member. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, … [Read more...]
End of Life Care Guidelines web conference closes February 26
This webinar will feature the goals of hospice care and ways to provide optimal compassionate care during this delicate, yet enriching time. The VetFolio conference is presented by Dr. Brenda Stevens and Dr. Kathleen Cooney. Source: VetFolio, February 18, 2017. After this Web conference, the participant should: Become familiar with the scope of end-of-life care … [Read more...]
Get ready for calving season
Calving season is here. It’s stressful for producers, mamas and babies alike. Kevin Gould with the Michigan State University Extension Service, provides a good overview of supplies that are needed and a link to a handy calving fact sheet. Source: Drovers CattleNetwork, February 20, 2017. To start, inventory supply needs to happen prior to the calving season and then the … [Read more...]
Kids prefer pets to siblings
While many families have pets, there hasn’t been much research done on the importance of child-pet relationships. Researchers with the University of Cambridge wanted to shed more light on these relationships by developing a system to test them. The study was published online in the Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology and will appear in the March 2017 print … [Read more...]
Editorial – Consumers getting dental messages
February is National Pet Dental month, but dental care for pets is a daily routine we rarely get established as animal health pros. Even veterinarians admit they don’t brush their own pets’ teeth daily. Still, the amount of media attention to this topic in February is admirable. In this consumer article Sarah Young summarizes the importance of dental care, a daily routine, … [Read more...]
Pay attention to the 3 stages of parturition
Experienced cow producers and veterinarians can benefit from reviewing basic information as spring calving season nears. The more we understand about the physiology of the process, the more likely we are to make sound decisions about when and if to provide assistance. Source: High Plains Journal, January 17, 2017. Parturition or “calving” is generally considered to occur … [Read more...]
Look at the ears
Ear infections and ear troubles almost always top the list of common pet ailments. Louis Norman Gotthelf, DVM, offers a photo tour of ear examinations and discussion of managing for healthy ears. Consider using this article for discussion during a veterinary team meeting. Source: Clinician’s Brief, December 2016. Dr. Gotthelf says a thorough physical examination of the ear … [Read more...]
Pet medicines are a poison risk for kids
Children five-years-old and under account for 88 percent of calls to poison control centers for exposure to veterinary medicines, researchers report in Pediatrics. In almost all of these cases, kids consumed drugs intended for the family pet. While this is a limited study, the action items are clear. Educate animal owners about keeping animal medications out of reach of … [Read more...]
Audiobooks may calm dogs
Audiobooks played in a recent study conducted by researchers at Hartpury College in the United Kingdom resulted in dogs spending more time resting and less time displaying vigilant behaviors. This is a new dimension beyond the considerable studies on how music effects dogs. Source: The Bark, February 11, 2017. The book used in the experiment was The Lion, The Witch and The … [Read more...]
Cattle eat weird things and it is OK
Consumers may be surprised to learn that cattle are able to eat many things that are considered waste and not allowed in the human consumption market. When foods begin to spoil, they cannot be sold for human consumption but some of them can be used in cattle feed. Source: High Plains Journal, January 30, 2017. Pumpkins, potatoes, oranges, sugar beets, and pinto beans can … [Read more...]
Training important for sows and gilts in group housing
The success of the group housing movement in swine production will depend on training sows and gilts, according to researchers at Kansas State University. Monitoring feed efficiency by individual sow is but one of the factors that complicates the changes in sow and gilt management. In one study, gilts spent 10 weeks in pre-training, two weeks in training, then moved into … [Read more...]
Updates from Is My Practice Healthy
Drs. Blach and Clark developed IMPH to fulfill these objectives: To provide an interactive and educational venue to improve practice management for veterinary practices. To educate veterinary practice owners, associates, and managers regarding how to focus on a small number of key data points to improve practice profitability and value. To provide the necessary … [Read more...]
Rainrot diagnosis becomes high tech
Rainrot can be nothing more than a pesky irritation that comes along with the rainy/wet season of the year. It has the potential to become more serious if not managed. Formerly, diagnosis was limited to evaluating skin scrapings under a microscope, but new technology may improve diagnosis; all at lower cost than cytology. Source: Equus Magazine, December 2016. In chronic … [Read more...]
Disease outbreaks – are farriers carriers?
When a disease outbreak is announced, farms, horse owners, shows and other equine entities reconsider their ways of working for a time in hopes of preventing further spread of the disease. Farms will quarantine horses that return from shows, cancel events and other such preventative measures. However, how often do they consider the farrier appointments? Typically, farriers … [Read more...]
Diagnostic dental radiographs: A concise how-to
Mary Berg, RVT, RLATG, VTS (Dentistry), demonstrates her preferred method of obtaining these types of images. She has been teaching veterinary technicians how to take dental radiographs for more than 20 years. Her proven techniques are shared and discussed in this article and video. Source: Firstline, January 18, 2017. Berg’s simplified positioning methods eliminate the … [Read more...]
Joining an organization can help animal health pros
Multiple organizations advocate for the animal health profession and provide an array of services and benefits to members. Keith Loria sorts out the acronym alphabet soup and explains who is who and who does what. Source: Veterinary Practice News, January 31, 2017. Veterinary professionals, regardless of specialty or job path, can join an association—or multiple … [Read more...]
10 secrets to keep your veterinary nurses happy
Phil Zeltzman, DVM, DACVS, CVJ, went behind the scenes and has deep, confidential conversations with veterinary surgery and anesthesia nurses. From these discussions he developed a list of behaviors that will keep them smiling. Source: Veterinary Practice News, January 27, 2016. How to keep your surgery and anesthesia nurses happy during the new year and beyond: Get … [Read more...]
Global pet care sales hits $100 billion milestone
Sales for all pet products and services totaled US$103.5 billion globally in 2016, surpassing the US$100 billion mark for the first time, writes Debbie Phillips-Donaldson. This 4.7 percent growth rate stands out among other consumer packaged goods industries, according to analyst Jared Koerten. Source: Petfood Industry, February 7, 2017. Focusing on the US, by far the … [Read more...]
Disinfect tube feeding equipment to prevent disease spread
While esophageal feeding of colostrum can revive weak goat kids, washing hands and disinfecting equipment thoroughly between uses is necessary to prevent the spread of diseases like Johne’s, mycoplasmosis and CAE. Follow these steps to effectively disinfect syringes and tubes: Rinse immediately after use Wash with warm soapy water to remove all debris Dilute 1 ounce … [Read more...]
Take steps to reduce abortions this kidding season
Q-fever, Chlamydiosis and toxoplasmosis are common causes of infectious abortions in goats. Prevention strategies include vaccinating, feeding antibiotics and quarantining new purchases until after kidding. Herds with multiple abortions in a short time frame or abortion rates in excess of three percent to five percent of the total number of pregnant animals should submit … [Read more...]