Animal Health Digest

Curating useful content for animal health professionals

$1 million grant funds agencies to detect new strains of PRRS

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A $1 million USDA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative grant will help researchers leverage the Swine Disease Reporting System to detect new strains of PRRSV. A new, web-based tool called the SDRS BLAST tool, allows veterinarians, producers and other users to compare genetic sequences of PRRSV with those in the SDRS. Source: The Pig Site, May 9, 2024. Link. “For the … [Read more...]

Reviewing the basics of needle care

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Changing needles every 10 animals is a good rule when injecting cattle, writes Lindsay Waechter-Mead, DVM. She reinforces the importance of needle care, proper sizing and biosecurity measures when cattle producers are injecting animals. Note the graphic showing needle selection based on weight of cattle, route of administration and viscosity of product. Source: Progressive … [Read more...]

Breeding ratios for chickens and ducks

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Now that Easter chicks and ducklings are growing up, backyard poultry keepers need to know how many roosters or drakes to keep for their flocks to thrive. Doug Ottinger shares the most effective ratios in this article: For chickens use 1 to 2 roosters per 10 hens For ducks use 1 drake per 5 hens Source: Backyard Poultry, May 11, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]

Extruded feed supports a healthy gut in horses

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Includes Commercial Content Understanding the comprehensive benefits of extruded feed can help nurture happier, healthier horses who are ready to meet their full potential in every aspect of their lives. From foal to senior horse, pelleted feeds can improve the absorption of vital nutrients, provide more calories for growth, development, and performance, and may help lower … [Read more...]

Review: DMSO use in horses

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Christine Barakat shares seven things you might not know about dimethyl sulfoxide and how it is used in horses. The FDA approved DMSO in 1970 for topical use on horses and dogs and we’re still learning about this industrial solvent now classified as an NSAID. Source: EQUUS, May 3, 2024. Link. Equine veterinarians regularly use the chemical “off-label” in other ways to treat … [Read more...]

Microbial metabolites in feline anal glands aid cat communication

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Researchers have unraveled the role the microbiome plays in a form of feline communication using their anal glands. Unique glandular secretions can repel rivals, attract mates and mark territory. Researchers’ findings revealed diverse microbiomes within the anal glands of domestic cats that are uniquely individual and that vary with the age and weight of the feline … [Read more...]

Seeing allergies through a One Health lens

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Calling for a bigger view of product and treatment choices, Erica Tramuta-Drobnis, VMD, MPH, CPH, urges veterinary teams to evaluate plans by the individual animal, consider the owner’s capacities and ensure proper antimicrobial stewardship practices. Ensuring we select appropriate therapies to manage dermatological manifestations of allergies and other skin conditions … [Read more...]

Glyphosate in dog food

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Laura Ward, BSc, shares perspectives on bioaccumulation of chemicals in foods we and our pets eat. Specifically, she says glyphosate, a non-selective herbicide applied to the leaves to kill plants and grasses, is found in a vast amount of human and dog food. She notes glyphosate does not accumulate in meat from animals as it does in plants. Wards is not trying to cause … [Read more...]

Updated canine neutering guidelines

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Researchers at the University of California-Davis, have updated their guidelines on when to neuter 40 popular dog varieties by breed and sex. Five breeds have been added to research begun in 2013 that questioned early neutering due to increased risk of joint diseases and certain cancers. The updated guidelines emphasize the importance of personalized decisions regarding the … [Read more...]

2024’s best dog calming treats for anxiety

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Includes Commercial Content A team of experts assessed 48 brands of dog-calming treats based on the key ingredients, customer satisfaction and overall value choosing three as best in class. Dana J. Cook shares facts and some of the latest research on the key ingredients that have proven to relieve dog anxiety, promote calmness and minimize aggressive behaviors: Hemp … [Read more...]

How to determine the best approach to separation-related behaviors in dogs

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When a dog exhibits separation-related behaviors, the first objective is to determine the underlying cause, writes Moira Hechenleitner DVM, CSAT. Understanding these behaviors and what causes them offers the best chances of a successful outcome before implementing an approach to deal with them. Source: Innovative Veterinary Care, May 23, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: Articles … [Read more...]

Becoming a better client for the veterinarian

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Lacey Fahrmeier, DVM, shares ways clients can help foster stronger connections and mindful adjustments with their veterinarians. Although focused on issues with rural livestock veterinarians, her five steps also apply to companion and equine practice clients as well. Veterinarians only have so much bandwidth. If you don’t want your vet to burn out, you probably need to … [Read more...]

IBPSA Fast Bites – May 27, 2024

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Strategies to remain customer-centric, unlocking exceptional service, McKinsey's top 28 AI business growth tools, Walmart adding pet telehealth to Walmart++ and more . . .  Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, May 27, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]

Honing your ambivert side

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The ambivert is somewhere between an extrovert and an introvert. Suzanne Degges-White, PhD, shares characteristics of the ambivert leader and ways to hone those skills and strengths. Ambiverts bring the best of both worlds to leadership due to their diverse strengths.” Source: Psychology Today, May 14, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]

It’s time to mean it when you ask, ‘How’s it going?’

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Jennifer Shike shares thoughts about the people in her life who truly “see” her. Those who aren’t too busy or preoccupied to notice how she’s really doing and ones who won’t speak the question lightly. . . . We need to do a better job of celebrating with people when they are happy, to take time to sit with people when they are struggling and need to be better at noticing when … [Read more...]

Overcoming negativity

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Seventeen simple words and a ton of psychology research about the best way to escape negative thinking. Source: Inc., May 17, 2024. Link. According to a massive recent study with one million participants, positive, happier people are simply more likely to be successful in life."  INSIGHT: If you want to feel better yourself, focus on helping others feel better … [Read more...]

Beyond getting a yes, factors that restrict adherence

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A recent pet experience allowed me to watch a dozen pet owners and their pets come and go from a veterinary office. Over half of the pet owners returned to their cars and sat in the parking lot for several minutes, displaying what could be described as a 1,000-yard stare. Others seemed to share the visit results with a passenger or via a phone call. THERE IS A LOT to process … [Read more...]

Kansas Department of Agriculture set to host animal health workshops

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With sessions targeted for producers and veterinarians, as well as emergency management and county officials, the Kansas Department of Agriculture workshops will take place across the state. The workshops will focus on: The role of the county in a disease response: how to respond to a livestock truck rollover, disposal of dead animals and sheltering animals in case of … [Read more...]

Boehringer Ingelheim and Detroit Horse Power announce education partnership

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Through riding and caring for horses in a safe and enriching space, Detroit Horse Power provides under-resourced youth with opportunities to learn valuable lessons about perseverance, empathy, responsible risk-taking, confidence and self-control. As part of the agreement to expand the non-profit’s existing programming in the areas of horse health and equine industry careers, … [Read more...]

Rural Media Group’s Patrick Gottsch passed away May 18, 2024

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Patrick Gottsch, the founder and president of Rural Media Group, passed away May 18, 2024, at the age of 70. He was a champion of rural America, devoting more than half his life to empowering farmers and ranchers, giving them a voice at the table. Rural Media Group, Inc. is the parent company to RFD-TV, The Cowboy Channel, The Cowgirl Channel, and Rural Radio 147. Source: … [Read more...]

USDA moves to electronic identification tags for cattle

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The new rule moves USDA official identification for bison, beef and dairy cattle to exclusively EID tags that can be read both visually and electronically starting in November 2024 and moves the USDA official identification tags from the metal option to EID tags. The classes of cattle requiring official identification have not changed and does not require the mandatory tagging … [Read more...]

What did we learn from the worst economic period in U.S. pig production history?

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There is no “normal” year for a pig producer, writes Trey A. Kellner, MS, PhD. He shares four key takeaways to remember during the next down cycle: Control the controllable Elevate your strengths, improve on your weaknesses Be responsible, realistic; but not a revisionist with management strategy decisions Feed is your number-1 cost; prioritize it Source: … [Read more...]

Is H5N1 a threat to U.S. swine herds?

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Influenza is constantly changing, shared Amy Baker, DVM, PhD, in a recent webinar for swine producers. Influenza from a native waterfowl host has the potential to infect swine. Those same viruses can also interact with humans and poultry. Baker emphasized awareness, precautions and surveillance. Several species, including pigs, birds, wild mammals and humans, have the … [Read more...]

Healthy rumens start with water

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It doesn’t matter if a dairy is milking 100 cows or 10,000 cows, water makes a difference, says David Reid, DVM. He shares his experiences helping producers manage water availability, temperature and quality. <Clean, fresh water> is an important part of creating a really healthy rumen which  means you have a healthier immune system that is going to help with milk … [Read more...]

Common causes of hives in horses

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Several factors, including medications, supplements, plants, mold and insects, can trigger hives, with a warm and wet climate often making them worse writes Aja Harvey, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM. Coincidental or not, hives and most other diseases involving the skin are more common during the warmer and more humid months. . . . even the most well-maintained properties are never free of … [Read more...]

Spring health check for senior horses

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EQUUS editors share five areas to focus on when doing spring health checks for senior horses: coat, joints, teeth, body condition and feet. Consider sharing this article on social media and in newsletters to remind horse owners to check on their senior horses. Source: EQUUS, April 24, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]

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