Don’t forget to save your spot for two days of unparalleled networking, exclusive 1:1 business partnering sessions, thought-provoking industry leaders, dynamic panels and groundbreaking emerging company presentations. Source: KCAHC. Link. Register at this link. … [Read more...]
Facility tips to help manage the impact of flies on cattle
Sponsored Content Got flies? Choosing fly control products is important, but proper facilities management along with product rotation and application are even more crucial for effectively controlling fly populations. Note: The management tips shared here also apply to anywhere flies and animals exist such as kennels, animal shelters, stables and backyard poultry … [Read more...]
Keep the colostrum coming
New research studies suggest there are health and developmental benefits to feeding calves colostrum or transition milk well beyond the first day of life, writes Maureen Hanson. She shares an overview of study results focused on extending colostrum feeding and the merits of feeding transition milk. Source: Dairy Herd Management, June 8, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Preconditioning: Worth the input or not?
Cindy Mansfield’s surprising article title made me read her review of the value cattle producers receive when committing the time, effort and expense to pre-condition their cattle. She reviews the economics, importance of vaccination, timelines and benefits to a producer’s reputation as advantages from preconditioning. Source: Progressive Cattle, July 4, 2024. Link. Also … [Read more...]
Could we eliminate PEDV from the U.S. swine population?
The U.S. swine industry has effectively been able to attack PEDV. Herds are getting cleaned faster thanks to the progressive mindset of producers, pig production companies, their teams and practitioners. The declining prevalence has swine scientists and industry leaders considering whether the pathogen can be eradicated. Source: National Hog Farmer, July 9, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Panel of DVMs discusses the greatest swine disease challenge in 2024
Outlining surprises and challenges facing pork producers and their veterinarians, Jennifer Shike shares responses from practicing swine veterinarians. PRRS remains the greatest challenge and it underscores the importance of biosecurity and prevention strategies. No biosecurity measure is too small to implement . . . but they take repetitive discipline and everyday management … [Read more...]
Poultry basics and diets for veterinary teams
The increased number of suburban and metro backyard flocks present challenges for companion animal practices. Keeping chickens, ducks and geese healthy goes beyond production animal paradigms as the birds are often considered pets. Veterinary teams will benefit from the upcoming VetFolio basics webinar and the article on poultry diets linked here. Sources: The science … [Read more...]
Meat goat demand continues to rise
About 90 percent of the U.S. goat inventory is raised for meat and herds average 20 animals. Goats can be found in urban, suburban and rural areas. They are an excellent biological tool to graze land that is overgrown or has the potential for wildfire. Although the overall number of meat goats has decreased over the last several years, demand for the meat continues to … [Read more...]
Reassuring findings about prednisolone
While concerns about glucocorticoids and laminitis are not completely unfounded, an English study shows that the commonly used drug prednisolone does not appear to make horses more susceptible to laminitis. Prednisolone is an extremely useful drug in equine medicine but use the drug with caution in horses with a history of laminitis.” - Victoria Jordan, MA, VetMB, … [Read more...]
Reading the vast, varied signs of equine gastric ulcer syndrome
Commercial References included It has been said that equine veterinary medicine is often more an art than science. While neither can be separated from the other, the gastric ulcer signs a horse might show are highly variable between individuals and might even change within an individual over time. Natalie DeFee Mendik, MA shares the behavioral, diagnostic and treatment … [Read more...]
Choosing the right cat bowl
Food bowls are a consideration when addressing cat acne <Link>, so we’re sharing an article that explores the most recommended type of bowls for individual cats. Whiskers are one of the considerations when choosing a bowl. Source: Cat Food Advisor, May 15, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: Consider this article for kitten kits, social media posts or newsletters. … [Read more...]
Addressing common nutrition misperceptions
Discussing pet diets is fraught with challenges created by common myths, misconceptions and marketing jargon. These include an excessive focus on the concept of natural ingredients, the effects of processing on pet food and the assumption that cost directly represents quality. Ultimately, the cornerstones of feeding pets are safety and nutritional balance, and these concepts … [Read more...]
Updated fluid therapy guidelines from AAHA
The new 2024 AAHA Fluid Therapy Guidelines for Dogs and Cats, provides a detailed refresher on the basic principles of fluid therapy while also guiding veterinary professionals through common fluid therapy scenarios and empowers an animal-specific, individualized approach. . . . if a practice doesn’t approach fluids as a drug prescription that necessitates accurate … [Read more...]
Pet-safe, DIY and dangerous baits for rats, mice
Beth Turner, DVM, shares comprehensive information about controlling rodents, the risks and different types of bait and control methods. Her article is a good resource to share with pet owners who may be experiencing rodent issues. Source: Preventive Vet, July 5, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
How hot is too hot?
This picture of a sidewalk sign is important. Although we posted about temperature risks on May 24th <Link>, the sign is a good reminder as were the number of dogs being walked in 90o F temps last week. Summertime warnings need to be repeated over and over.” Also see: Search results for: dog heat stroke, AHD archives. Link. … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – July 8, 2024
Mars courting next-gen high-spending pet owners, future of flying with pets, email marketing myths, shifts in big life priorities, views of website written content averages 5.59 seconds, and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, July 8, 2024. Link. . . . websites are not just selling products or services . . . they’re guiding users on a journey, and every step along the way … [Read more...]
8 types of toxic bosses and how to handle each of them
The first step to surviving a toxic boss is knowing who you’re dealing with and how to work with them. Mariah Parker shares eight types of toxic bosses and how to survive those relationships. Source: Two minutes notice, July 27, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: Safe, open, two-way communication remains a key to eliminate toxicity. … [Read more...]
6 steps to improve your resilience
The reality that humans and animals are at risk daily is a primary lesson from the pandemic. Around every corner is a potential punch in the gut, whether health-related, societal, work-related, or emotional. Improving resilience helps us weather loss, setbacks, disappointment and a plethora of emotions. Some days the supply of available curse words is insufficient to meet my … [Read more...]
Majority of U.S. women struggle to prioritize health
Results from an April 2024 survey show women in the U.S. find it tough to make their own health a top priority. The findings are disturbing considering the high percentage of women graduating from veterinary schools and veterinary technician programs. Younger women and mothers with children under 18 are more likely to struggle to prioritize their own health. Survey results … [Read more...]
Meeting customer expectations starts with employees
Customers want to deal with businesses that are consistent, reliable, accessible, helpful and prompt. Their expectations have never been higher and people want to work for companies that provide a great employee experience. Source: Forbes, November 7, 2023. Link. There is real benefit to companies that recognize the vital link between employee experience and customer … [Read more...]
Addressing 7 common complaints practices face
Dissent and dissatisfaction are often masked by the historical statement, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” Unfortunately, such experiences lead to customer loss. Marc Rosenberg, VMD, shares how routine preemptive troubleshooting with clinic staff members help to correct complaints heard before they rise to become points of contention. He shares … [Read more...]
Avian flu updates
Staying abreast of the latest on high-path avian flu is time-consuming and often confusing. Multiple media sources share information along a rapidly progressing timeline of discovery, opinions and responses. We aggregated some of the more recent updates at these links. Sources: Detections of HPAI in livestock, USDA, July 9, 2024. Link. The most current information and … [Read more...]
Animal health pros really DO matter
Getting caught up in the minutia of our daily animal health activities and checklists is easy. Swine flu, foot-and-mouth, CWD, HPAI, leptospirosis, tickborne diseases and more can create havoc for animals, the food supply and potentially our lives. As we return to our efforts from the Independence Day holiday and dive into 3-Q-2024, this graphic is a stark reminder of the core … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – June 27, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, June 20, 2024. Link. Most read post(s) from the June 20th AHD Bulletin – Cat acne: causes, signs, treatment. Link. 6 myths about cooling horses in hot weather. Link. Cheese now drives dairy growth. Link. ===================================== Sitting is the new smoking. Get off your … [Read more...]
Shelter dogs do better with a well-matched roommate
Newly published research from Virginia Tech showed companiable dogs housed together showed fewer signs of stress and were adopted more quickly than dogs housed by themselves. . . . social isolation can work against dogs’ behavioral health and adoptability.” - Erica Feuerbacher, PhD Source: Virginia Tech News, June 12, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: Pairing dogs that can get along … [Read more...]
IRS boosts health savings account contribution limits for 2025
The Internal Revenue Service recently announced that for the calendar year 2025, the health savings account contribution limits for individuals with self-only coverage will jump to $4,300, up $150 from $4,150 for this year. For family coverage, the limit will increase to $8,550 next year from $8,300 in 2024. Source: Human Resource Executive, June 21, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Global Alliance for Rabies Control launches Dog Welfare Certificate course
GARC’s new Dog Welfare Certificate course is designed to provide essential knowledge for anyone involved or interested in canine care. Free and self-paced, the course offers foundational knowledge crucial for anyone looking to care for a dog whether it is their own, or a dog in the community. Source: Global Alliance for Rabies Control, June 23,2024. Link. The course is … [Read more...]
Pig Paradigm searching for alternatives to antimicrobials
Sharing advancements in the from exploring the interaction of the host, diet and gut microbiota to prevent infection in the gut of developing piglets is an objective of the Pig Paradigm. At their annual meeting And Liu, PhD, shared study results showing by adding the probiotic Bacillus subtilis, severe cases of post-weaning diarrhea were reduced by as much as five percent and … [Read more...]
What can we expect from Elanco’s new Bovaer®?
Bovaer is a powdered feed supplement that blocks an enzyme involved in methane formation, reducing the amount of methane emitted by each animal. Elanco Animal Health, Inc., is licensing Bovaer for marketing in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Feeding Bovaer to 1 million cows would reduce methane emissions equivalent to removing more than 285,000 cars from the road for a … [Read more...]
Tom Vilsack: Good biosecurity critical to mitigating the spread of H5N1
Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack’s opinion piece calls on producers to use USDA’s resources to enhance their biosecurity measures and for states and producers to opt into our support and herd monitoring programs designed to limit the spread of this H5N1 in dairy cattle. The most important step we can take today to contain HPAI is biosecurity.” Source: Agri-Pulse, June 21, 2024. … [Read more...]