Research shows that dry cows and bred heifers are just as vulnerable to heat stress, even if the signs are less visible. When a dry cow or bred heifer experiences heat stress, her unborn calf does too writes Taylor Leach who shares the long term effects of heat stress on the dairy herd. Source: Bovine Practitioner, June 2, 2025. Link. While the lactating herd often gets the … [Read more...]
OSU researchers: Asian longhorned tick that can be deadly for cattle
As the Asian longhorned tick moves into new regions, researchers express concerns because ALTs can transmit a protozoan pathogen known as Theileria orientalis, specifically the Ikeda genotype. T. orientalis has similar clinical signs to anaplasmosis but impacts young animals instead of older animals. The Asian Long-horned tick is a three-host tick and reproduces through … [Read more...]
10 most poisonous plants for horses
Only a small number of toxic plants are likely to bring serious harm to horses. Anthony Knight, BVSc, MRCVS, reviews the ones most dangerous to horses in the United States in this article. Source: EQUUS, May 22, 2025. Link. INSIGHTS: Different weather conditions and migratory birds can bring seeds into pastures and paddocks where toxic plants have not been seen routinely. … [Read more...]
Poll reveals horse owner deworming behaviors
A June poll reveals how frequently a group of respondents deworms their horse(s). Information like this can help veterinary teams understand client behaviors and may provide opportunities to improve horse stewardship. The sponsored article below was linked with the poll results. In it, Christa Lesté-Lasserre, MA, shares what scientists are learning about equine parasite … [Read more...]
The business side of farriers and footcare
Data collected from the 2024 American Farriers Journal Business Practices Survey provides an interesting look into the business of equine footcare. In addition to what they charge and where they buy supplies, we noted how farriers communicate with their clients. The metrics on what work they are doing, the types of horses and metrics on laminitis and white line disease will be … [Read more...]
Recognizing and treating pain in cats
The signs of pain in cats are often subtle making recognizing them challenging and often overlooked. Recognizing subtle signs of pain is essential for the veterinary team and veterinary technicians to help be vital in teaching owners how to recognize pain in their cats, writes Wendy Davies BS, CVT, CCRVN, VTS. In addition to discussing types, signs and origins of feline … [Read more...]
A crate training discussion. Cruel or kind?
The heart of crate training lies in how it’s introduced and used, writes Esther Evangeline. Emphasizing the dog safety, she addresses misconceptions, training approaches and crate alternatives. Consider the article for social media or newsletters. Source: DoggoDigest, May 11, 2025. Link. Crate training is the process of teaching a dog to see a crate as a positive, secure … [Read more...]
Review: Diagnostic testing for tick-borne diseases; recommendations, interpreting results
Ticks are making the news across the U.S. as resident populations bloom and areas experience new tick species migrating into a region for the first time. A large percentage of vector-borne diseases reported are vectored by ticks, with dogs acting as sentinels for human exposure to concerning bacterial, protozoal and viral agents. In this article, Doctors Schlemmer and … [Read more...]
Does it pay to castrate, wean and vaccinate?
Includes Sponsor Content Studying the USDA Market News reports, Andrew Griffith, PhD, says it is clear that a good number of producers still find it easier to sell bull calves instead of castrating them prior to selling them. He shares the economics of selling calves straight off the cow versus after preconditioning and applying management protocols in this article. During … [Read more...]
Back to the vet, part 2. Simon’s Cat
Animal health pros will get a chuckle from this video about a second trip to the veterinarian for Simon’s Cat. It is a part of series including Tail break - Back to the vet part 1 <Link>. Source: Simon’s Cat, YouTube, June 5, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Iconic cartoon cats
Commentary From mischievous antics to heartwarming charm, cartoon cats have etched themselves into pop culture. The author shares 14 famous feline characters that continue to delight audiences worldwide . . . anthropomorphisms included. The descriptions of these characters beg for some reflection on how cats are perceived as our industry seeks to provide more medical … [Read more...]
Website resource for when cat(s) stopping acting normally
Complimentaray Commercial Content Zoetis’ Cat Red Flags website advertisement caught our attention during a recent TV program on Nat Geo Wild. We’re sharing this in case you’re not aware of the website and it’s focus on behaviors that may indicate osteoarthritis or other issues that reduce cat wellness. Source: Cat Red Flags. Link. … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – June 9, 2025
Diminishing veterinary care blamed on rising costs, small businesses need to consider risk management, harnessing AI for small business, law maker activities and more . . . Source: IBPSA, June 9, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
The emotional toil of unheeded advice
“Darn it! <my friend> didn’t act on what their new pet needed. Now it’s ill.” The situations described here by Shannon Nowak, BS, LVT, RVT, will be familiar to many animal health pros. It does sting when people seek your professional advice then promptly ignore your recommendations. Her guidance to show up but with boundaries is good advice. Put your time, energy and … [Read more...]
The enemy of customer service is pride
Right or wrong, the goal isn’t to win an argument, rather it is to win the customer, writes Shep Hyken. When we let go of pride and focus on helping, we create better outcomes for everyone involved. Source: Veterinary Advantage, April 2025, Link. The next time you find yourself in a situation where you know the customer is wrong, ask yourself, “What’s more important, being … [Read more...]
Forget quiet quitting: Use ‘loud living’ to redefine workplace boundaries
Somewhere between 20 and 40 percent of the workforce are quiet quitters, according to data from McKinsey and the Understanding Society. Struggling with the invisible contract stating that success demands sacrifice, Alli Kushner decided against quietly disengaging. She chose to get louder about what she needed to show up better. She calls it loud living. In this article … [Read more...]
Logic, emotions and decisions
Our logical brain and our emotional brain are always at work in any decision-making process. The importance of the decision determines which one drives the decision. Source: Veterinary Advantage, October 2023. Link. The “decision tree” dynamic is constantly in play and creating decision-making attitudes within the customer.” INSIGHTS: Attitudes are situational and … [Read more...]
Training expert: Excessive digital learning overwhelms employees, creates compliance risks
While digital training platforms have made skill development more accessible than ever, companies are discovering that too much of a good thing can backfire spectacularly, says Allan Murphy Bruun, Founder of SimplerQMS. Teams that are constantly pulled into training sessions struggle to maintain their regular workflow, Bruun says. The cognitive load of switching between … [Read more...]
Every team problem is a trust problem in disguise
Sometimes a picture is sufficient. We discovered Kavit Haria’s post and share it as linked below and with a pdf of the graphic to use as a poster. Trust is built fast when you lead with integrity, says Haria. The post is targeted to leaders but the 8 habits he shares to build it are important for every team member. Source: Jay Shetty Certification School, LinkedIn, May … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – June 12, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, June 5, 2025. Link. Most read posts from June 5 2025 AHD Bulletin – Strategies for culling cows this year. Link. Orange cats, freak of nature? Link. Plain speak. Link. AVMA’s New World screwworm resource for veterinarians. Link. DocTalk . . . Embryos and reproductive technologies. Link. … [Read more...]
NOAA predicts above-average 2025 hurricane season
With 70 percent confidence, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting 13 to 19 named storms, 6 to 10 of which will become hurricanes, and 3 to 5 may grow to major hurricane intensity of Category 3 or stronger. The article includes concerns over staffing, which, beyond the political turmoil, should be fair warning for individuals and businesses to … [Read more...]
AVMA develops New World screwworm resource for veterinarians
New World screwworm is a serious cause for concern. AVMA’s New World screwworm webpage delivers the key information veterinary teams need to stay ahead of this emerging threat. Veterinary teams will play a critical role in frontline defenses. The situation calls for vigilance and immediate response. Source: AVMA@Work, June 3, 3025. Link. … [Read more...]
Why people attend the World Pork Expo (video)
Jennifer Shrike shares a look at why people make the trip to Des Moines every June and their recommendations on how to make the experience unforgettable. The weather can be searing hot, rainy or blustery on any given day so a poncho and sun shade headgear are considerations. Come hungry, be ready to learn and network with pork industry influencers, leaders and … [Read more...]
Strategies for culling cows this year
It’s early to be talking about culling cows in anticipation of drought, but some states are already dealing with below-average precipitation. Culling is a good business decision as cow-calf pairs are turned out on pasture. Extension professionals share culling strategies in this article, beginning with open cows, cows that lost calves and those that need to be removed from the … [Read more...]
Stop doing cosynch
Cosynch is a management practice on dairies where GnRH treatments and artificial insemination are performed simultaneously. While labor-saving, Paul M. Fricke PhD, reviews the importance of timing in what is termed the ovsynch 56 protocol. In summary, the science does not support the cosynch approach. Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, June 2, 2025. Link. INSIGHTS: Articles like … [Read more...]
Ramp up fly control or breathe through your teeth
Maggie Gilles provides a reminder all animal health pros need. Fly control begins with regular sanitation to remove manure and organic material from breeding areas. To increase effectiveness, it is important to implement one or more of the fly reduction approaches targeted to different life stages of the pesky flies. Stable flies and horn flies are the primary targets for … [Read more...]
DocTalk. Discussing embryos and reproductive technologies.
Includes Commercial Content from DocTalk sponsors In this eye-opening episode of DocTalk, Dan Thompson, DVM, PhD, engaged Kosta Simintiras, PhD, to help us better understand the challenges in the complex process of bovine conceptus elongation, a critical phase in early pregnancy. Simintaras shares research on improving embryo transfer and artificial insemination success … [Read more...]
Mass honey bee collapse may compromise US agriculture
More than half of the nation’s managed honey bee colonies have experienced mass die-offs. These losses, combined with honey bee die-off events during other times of the year, mean many beekeepers have seen 70 to 100 percent of their colonies collapse over the past 12 months. Source: AVMA, May 14, 2025. Link. The cause of the die-offs has not yet been identified. The usual … [Read more...]
Conserving heritage chicken breeds
Many backyard chicken breeds face endangered status. Ana Hotaling shares the importance of conserving flocks that allow chicken breeders to contribute to biodiversity and sustainable farming practices. She shares the ins and outs of raising endangered breeds in conservation flocks. Source: Hobby Farms. Link. INSIGHTS: Conservation flock development would make a good 4-H … [Read more...]
Horses grazing with donkeys can be exposed to lungworms
While horses and donkeys can be great companions, infected donkeys can infect horses with lungworms. Kimberly S. Brown shares some basic facts about lungworms in donkeys and horses with help from Zoetis’ Nathan Voris, DVM. The article is a good review and is worthy of sharing with horse owners; those with donkeys already and those who may be tempted to bring home a donkey from … [Read more...]