The causes of mid-lactation milk fever are different than calcium milk fever in fresh cows, which makes the term somewhat misleading. Mid-lactation milk fever often occurs in multiparous, high-producing cows that had no problem in previous milkings. The authors explain the need to focus on hypomagnesemia noting nutritional and inflammatory challenges that may lead to … [Read more...]
Sweaty cattle may boost food security in a warming world
Unless we’re doing something to affect the ability of our cattle to thrive in heat stress conditions, they are not going to reproduce, so there’s a food security concern to consider, asserts Raluca Mateescu, PhD. Her team’s research shows it is possible to identify the genes within breeds of cattle that would lead to the sweatiest, heat-tolerant offspring Source: BEEF, June … [Read more...]
All the eggs are brown . . . there’ll be lots of eggs today
Apologies to the Mamas and Papas for the lyrical title <Link> but the sky won’t be gray if the flock has these 15 breeds of chickens that lay brown eggs. They consistently appear on best egg layer lists and can be the backbone of a productive backyard flock, many laying more than 200 eggs per year, writes Pam Freeman. Source: Backyard Poultry, October 24, 2022. … [Read more...]
6 myths about cooling horses in hot weather
Not all horses cool down the same due to variable thermal responses, writes Tanja Bornmann. She addresses heat illness and dispels beliefs horse owners may have about hosing down horses, wiping the water away, humidity and more. Consider sharing this with horse owners on social media and in newsletters. Include your own comments, too. A few seconds to send a post might save a … [Read more...]
10 tips to keep your dog calm during fireworks
Independence Day celebrations will be here soon. As usual, some will start early and run late. The American Kennel Club offers 10 tips to calm dogs in this video with Kathy Santo, master trainer. Source: American Kennel Club, May 22, 2024. Link. (Includes video) Here are three of 10 expert-approved tips to keep dogs safe during fireworks and other loud situations. Keep … [Read more...]
Some believe pricey kidney transplants for cats are worth it
Chronic kidney disease is one of the more common diseases in aging cats and a leading cause of their deaths. Like humans, cats have two kidneys and can live with one provided it is healthy. Kidney transplants, costing up to $25,000, are an option for cats that meet transplant criteria. Owners and surgeons agree the process can be worth it. Source: The Washington Post, June … [Read more...]
Human-animal bond: Dolly Parton on Captain Kangaroo (reel)
Animal health pros promote and witness the human-animal bond as part of daily life. We’re sharing a link to a reel highlighting that the human-animal bond was being celebrated 48 years ago. In a 1976 appearance on TV’s Captain Kangaroo Dolly Parton sang a song she wrote about her dog, Cracker Jack. Enjoy! Source: Our American Stories with Lee Habeeb, Facebook. Link. … [Read more...]
Get back to helping pets and their people
Sponsored Commercial Content Veterinarians explain how they use Talkatoo in their practices, saving time and energy and streamlining workflow. Shawn Wilkie shares how Talkatoo is revolutionizing veterinary practices with Auto-SOAP generator, dictation and AI Assistant. Talkatoo allows me several ways to get information inside my brain out into the world.” – Michelle Scott, … [Read more...]
Cat acne: causes, signs, treatment
A Google search of cat acne yields myriad options to learn about the common follicular keratinization that appears as tiny black open comedones along the chin and lips as if the cat had rubbed its chin in dirt or food. Cats generally develop acne when their hair follicles become blocked by an overproduction of keratin, writes Sarah Psaradelis. She shares information for cat … [Read more...]
Raw dog food, the big questions
Includes Commercial References Questions mount as the popularity of raw diets grows. Andrew Dickens posed some key questions to We Feed Raw’s Amy Zalneraitis. The article reveals how perception, processing and handling affect the quality and safety of commercially produced raw diets. Source: Dog Food Advisor, February 23, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: Summer temperatures … [Read more...]
Best life jackets, vests for dogs
Includes Commercial Content Water safety experts recommend owners who take their dogs near water or boating invest in a dog life jacket to ensure buoyancy for those that swim and for those that don’t. The authors review top-ranked canine floatation devices. Source: AKC Retrievist. Link. Photo by Matt Seymour on Unsplash … [Read more...]
6 foods we eat that can kill dogs
Big John turned his back away from the grill’s side table briefly to answer a question from a guest. In a flash, the guest’s dog went grill-surfing, grabbing a sizeable chunk of garlic-infused and onion powder-dressed roast. Now, a nice dinner was missing, and there was a chance the dog might get ill. Despite those big brown begging eyes, we have to be careful with these six … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – June 17, 2024
Fusing science and affection*, motion needed in websites, engagement culture, 82 percent of HR pros believe pets help mental health, connecting brand and demand**, and more. * Scritches used in this context refers to a scratching motion versus a harsh sound. Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, June 17, 2024. Link. Note the NEW IBPSA Master Business Academy, a cutting-edge program … [Read more...]
How to enter flow state (video)
Flow is more than just concentrating or paying attention; it's a unique mental state of effortless engagement. The producers of ths video share ways we can adjust to enter flow more often. They say those who more frequently experience flow report higher levels of positive emotions, creativity, and feelings of accomplishment. Source: TED, July 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Undoing cynicism at work
The rise of cynicism is making many of us miserable at our jobs. Only 15 percent of workers say they are thriving, with the rest saying they are indifferent or downright miserable at work. Source: AXIOS, June 11, 2024. Link. Cynicism, if it were a pill, would really be a poison." - Jamil Zaki, PhD INSIGHT: Start by fixing your own cynicism. … [Read more...]
Walmart adds bonuses for hourly employees
In a move to improve retention and employee well-being, Walmart will offer a financial bonus of up to $1,000 to full- and part-time employees. The longer an hourly employee stays with the company, the higher the bonus. Source: SHRM, June 14, 2024. Link. Also see: Here's how much Walmart employees get paid in 2024, The Street, January 17, 2024. Link. The average hourly wage … [Read more...]
Why paternity leave is a must-have benefit for dads
Employers need to reflect on who their caregiving benefits are leaving out and whether their work culture is a place where those benefits can be used, writes Deanna Cuadra. Pew Research Center found that more than half of dads are dissatisfied with how much time they spend with their family, which is two times more than moms who reported the same. SHRM found that parental leave … [Read more...]
Cushing: We’re not doing enough for vet techs
The topic of non-DVM veterinary professionals will dominate the pet health care horizon over the next few years, asserts Mark Cushing in the article linked below. Noting the similarities between the time spent with nurses and the time pet owners spend with non-DVM pros, he lists issues surrounding the vet tech profession that deserve respect and attention. Source: Today’s … [Read more...]
June heat wave enveloping the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast
A hot day or two is normal, but the National Weather Service says a near-record strong heat dome will bring record-breaking high temperatures and sultry, uncomfortable nights during the next two weeks. The inherent risks to people are no surprise especially when temperatures remain high during the night. For animal health pros, reminding animal owners to keep their animals … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – June 13, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, June 6, 2024. Link. Most read post(s) from the June 6th AHD Bulletin – Attitude, value, and talent. Link. What stool color could say about a dog’s health. Link. Do hay preservatives matter to horses? Link. ===================================== Summer hours. A way for small business owners to boost … [Read more...]
Brakke study shows pet owners not always aware of e-retail options
The recent Pet Medicines Home Delivery Study by Brakke Consulting uncovered notable e-retail trends for pet products, writes Joseph Harvey. It revealed home delivery is directly linked to improved compliance, but clients need to know about the service. Many US veterinary practices are well positioned to supply customers in an online capacity through home delivery and autoship … [Read more...]
Mella Pet Care, Vetspire integrating real-time vitals data to PiMS
A new partnership between Mella Pet Care and Vetspire PiMS will automatically capture vital signs from Mella hardware. Using their existing workflows, veterinarians can integrate with the Mella Pet Care Desktop App to instantly collect vital signs from Mella devices. Source: Mella Pet Care, June 11, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club seeking nominations for 2025 ICON Award
For the 2025 ICON award, the focus is on unifying the global veterinary community by honoring contributions that transcend national boundaries. This year’s award will celebrate a veterinarian, researcher, veterinary technician/nurse or industry professional who has made significant advancements in veterinary medicine internationally. Source: The Bridge Club. Link. … [Read more...]
Clear The Shelters celebrates 10 years
Celebrating 10 years and more than one million adoptions, Clear the Shelters is recruiting veterinary clinic participation to fulfill its mission. Sign up to receive a supporter kit including access to the social media toolbox and improve pet adoption. Source: Hill’s Pet Nutrition. Link. … [Read more...]
Testing mature bulls for trich – what’s important?
Despite his genetics, body condition and herd sire desirability, a mature bull with trichomoniasis can devastate the finest breeding program. Trich is a venereal disease that causes infertility, open cows and occasional abortions in cows and heifers. The only way to identify infected bulls is to perform preputial scraping and diagnostic testing to identify the presence of the … [Read more...]
Recent graduates share their best practice tips
Four hard-working, dynamic bovine practitioners shared some practical ideas and recommendations during the final session of the AABP Recent Graduate Conference. While we work on animals, we work for and with people . . . so be prompt, be practical, be polite and practice one’s skills.” - Andy Harding, DVM Source: Bovine Veterinarian, June 11, 2024. Link. Related content: 5 … [Read more...]
Asian long-horned tick associated with emerging risk in cattle
As if HPAI isn’t enough, Asian long-horned tick ranges are expanding bringing the potential for an emerging infection risk from Theileria orientalis Ikeda. The protozoa invades the red and white blood cells of cattle creating clinical signs of disease like those of anaplasmosis including anemia, jaundice, weakness, and even death. Source: BEEF, June 6, 2024. Link. Producers … [Read more...]
Debunking fly spray myths
The authors address four common misconceptions about one keeping bugs at bay: More spray is better All fly sprays work the same way Fly spray applied to a wet horse won’t be effective Insecticides and repellents are all you need to protect horses from flies Source: EQUUS, June 5, 2024. Link. Fly sprays are a key part of any insect-control program, but they … [Read more...]
Horse stiffness requires attention
Even slight stiffness requires attention and consideration, writes Devin Conley. He shares the importance of proper warm-ups noting discomfort and stiffness attributed to arthritis, age, and other life factors are things that can be managed with the proper care and support from a veterinarian. Source: Horse and Rider, June 10, 2024. Link. . . . don’t disregard stiffness … [Read more...]
Jade Keller shares the importance of veterinary care
Experienced performance horse trainer, Jade Keller, shares why regular veterinary care is instrumental in achieving success in the competitive world of equine sports. His assertions are just as important for the hobby or backyard horse owner. Regular veterinary care provides a safety net that allows us to address issues before they become major obstacles.” Source: Horse and … [Read more...]