Complimentary Commercial Content Research published in the Translational Animal Science journal found significant benefits to average daily gain and carcass value among low-risk, yearling Angus steers who were treated with FerAppease® during initial processing at the research feedyard and again when re-implanted. mBAS, the active ingredient of FerAppease, is the synthetic … [Read more...]
Mitigating pregnancy loss in cow herds
Chloe Collins reviews management changes that can help mitigate calf loss. She shares multiple factors that create pregnancy or calf losses in utero and after the calf is born. Source: FEEDSTUFFS, February 20, 2025. Link. Decreasing calf loss can be a long-run effort, but it is worth every ounce of preparation and prevention.” - Chloe Collins … [Read more...]
Improving cull cow decisions
Our perceptions of cull cows are not always representative of their value as they leave the herd. It is better to consider them dairy market cows versus cull cows <Link>. Cull cow weight and price remain a primary factor in managing herd profitability. Maureen Hansen covers five factors to consider when culling cows. She includes economic and animal health elements that … [Read more...]
Creating the vet-friendly horse barn
Barb Crabbe, DVM, shares what it takes to have great working conditions for veterinarians and farriers to make it easier for them to provide top-notch care for your horse. The article is a good one to share with clients to set some expectations. For many horse owners, a few adjustments in their barn or stable can make a DVM’s dream visit come true. Source: Horse and Rider, … [Read more...]
Collagen-based neutraceuticals offer benefits for cats
A concentrated source of collagen, essential for maintaining the integrity of connective tissues, including skin, joints and bones offers some benefits for cats as they age. The authors review the types of collagen, available forms and administration of collagen supplements and where supplementation may provide health benefits for cats. Source: IVC Journal, February 20, … [Read more...]
Reminder: gabapentin can effect blood pressure in cats with, without CKD
As veterinary teams get comfortable reaching for one drug or another, study results like this remind us to be cautious. Researchers studying the effects of gabepentin found it has an effect on arterial BP in cats with and without chronic kidney disease. This effect appears to be more than just the result of stress reduction. These findings should be taken into account when … [Read more...]
New protocol guide to help DVMs standardize their approach to canine OA
Complimentary Commercial Content American Regent, maker of Adequan® Canine (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan), created an OA Treatment Protocol Guide subsequent to veterinary feedback. The guide will help veterinary teams develop their own osteoarthritis protocols which shares a three-step plan to help develop and implement an OA treatment protocol in almost any clinic. It … [Read more...]
Partners in pain detection, part 2: feline
Similar to last week’s post on dog owners’ pain detection in their dogs <Link>, this study assessed cat guardians’ perception of their cats’ pain levels following participants’ exposure to brief pain-related educational material. Researchers found that after receiving educational information about recognizing pain in cats, the cat guardians showed more concern about their … [Read more...]
Who’s afraid of the dreaded cough?!
Commercially supported by Merck Animal Health Jenifer Chatfield, DVM, Dipl. ACZM, Dipl. ACVPM, provides an insightful and educational look at canine infectious respiratory disease complex, its primary causes, the changes in dog influenza and why knowing how dogs are vaccinated is important to individual dogs and for those dogs around them. Source: Dr Jen the Vet, YouTube, … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – February 24, 2025
Ways small business can navigate uncertainties during political transition, Sleepypod Pet Carriers earn top crash-test safety ratings, personalized pet safety gear, small business optimism trends fall, accelerator fueling innovation in pet care industry and more . . . Source: IBPSA, February 24, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Pay yourself first
A recent survey shows that more than 80 percent of workers fear job layoffs this year. More concerning may be that four in 10 companies expect to reduce their workforce in the next five years. Kerry Hannon shares five ways to proactively brace for a job loss starting with cutting back on spending and creating an emergency fund. Source: Yahoo!finance, February 22, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Thriving cultures
Fostering a thriving culture is dependent on a few essential leadership behaviors rooted in the principles of Servant Leadership . . . a people-centric approach where leaders prioritize serving others, creating environments of trust, engagement and productivity. Source: Inc., October 4, 2024, Link. Authenticity is showing up with your best self especially at the worst of … [Read more...]
Thoughts on communicating with people outside of your normal industry segment
Emily Eilers addresses the challenges of communicating the farm and food story with consumers while facing the narratives inherent when only two percent of the U.S. population grows our food. Source: Nebraska Farmer, February 19, 2025. Link. Commentary Eiler’s article caused me to think about the number of social media posts I saw from cow-calf producers during the … [Read more...]
READ THIS FIRST! 2025 World Nature Photography Award winners announced.
From amazement to education to Zen, it’s all in the latest collection of photos from entrants around the globe. Take them all in before you start reading about the latest topics in our industry. Relax and see the beauty of feathers, vibrancy of lanternflies and simplistic combined beauty and ugliness of a guinea. From animals on land to those in the sea and even us, these … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – February 20, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, February 13, 2024. Link. Most read posts from February 13, 2025 AHD Bulletin – Managing hypothermia for newborn calves. Link. Building talent through delegation. Link. How multitasking drains your brain. Link. New guidelines set for degrees in infection prevention. Link. Time to review vaccine … [Read more...]
Akston named best start-up at the 2024 S&P Global Animal Health Awards
Akston is a biotech company built for pets. They use their proprietary Ambifect® Fc-fusion protein platform to develop immuno-enhancing and targeted protein treatments that aim to reduce treatment frequency while enhancing efficacy. The company was awarded the Best Start-Up of 2024 by S&P Global Animal Health at the Animal Health, Nutrition, and Technology Innovation Europe … [Read more...]
BuddyID® offers free lifetime registration for pets affected by Save This Life microchip
Through its trusted microchip and recovery brand, BuddyID®, Creative Science is offering free lifetime registration for all pets with impacted Save This Life microchips, ensuring they remain protected in the event they go missing. The company is also extending free registration to any remaining Save This Life microchips still in possession at veterinary clinics and … [Read more...]
Loncor® 300 (florfenicol) joins Zoetis cattle anti-infective portfolio
Zoetis recently acquired the marketing rights for Loncor® 300 (florfenicol) from Elanco giving producers another option to treat BRD. Loncor 300 adds a fourth class of antibiotic to Zoetis’ cattle anti-infective portfolio. Source: BEEF, February 13, 2025. Link. Loncor 300 (florfenicol) is a broad-spectrum antibiotic active against many Gram-negative and Gram-positive … [Read more...]
Dechra expands commitment to veterinary profession with new AVMF scholarships
Dechra is deepening its investment in the next generation of veterinary professionals by expanding its partnership with the American Veterinary Medical Foundation. Twenty scholarships for veterinary and veterinary technician students totaling nearly $50,000 extends Dechra’s long-standing support of veterinary education, mentorship, and student wellness. Source: Dechra, … [Read more...]
Cowhides count
Clint Peck reminds us that cattle hides are still a valuable product, especially in high-volume packing plants. He says hides represent 15.5 percent of the per head byproduct credit. China, Italy and South Korea are the world's largest importers of cattle hides and skins, accounting for 65 percent of global imports. Leather upholstery in auto production and other transportation … [Read more...]
Milking camels a niche market
Niche markets in livestock production offer intrigue and opportunities to producers willing to learn and take risks. Camels were imported to the American West in the 1850s as pack animals and have garnered interest since <Link>. In this article, Steve Pastis shares the story of three U.S. dairy farmers filling a niche market by milking camels. Source: Progressive … [Read more...]
Varroa mites, public enemy No.1 to bees
Reducing the destruction to bee colonies caused by Varroa destructor mites is a priority for beekeepers worldwide, but research reveals that improper timing of various treatments could cause more harm than good. Source: Earth.com, February 10, 2025. Link. A common mistake among beekeepers is applying treatment too early or too late in the season. If treatment occurs too … [Read more...]
Know the phases of chicken development to help raise a healthy flock
Chickens go through three basic phases of growth: starter, grower and layer. Kalyn Waters makes general information about each group easy to share with chicken owners. Source: University of Florida Extension, February 14, 2014. Link. The Starter Phase begins at hatching and lasts until a chick is five to six weeks old. Starting them . . . 18 percent protein provides the … [Read more...]
There’s nothing as helpful as picking out a horse’s feet every day
Daily hoof checks are the cornerstone of wintertime hoof care. Mud, snow, ice and substrate materials combine to make it difficult for horses to walk, often leading to shoe loss. Craig Lesser, DVM, CF, shares a variety of issues horse owners may encounter if routine hoof care is ignored. Source: The Paulick Report, February 18, 2025. Link. INSIGHTS: This is a good … [Read more...]
Ear cleaning and treatment outcomes in dogs with otitis externa
Questioning why we do things the way we’ve always done them makes sense. In this article William Oldenhoff, DVM, DACVD, reviews a study that evaluated whether cleaning dogs’ ears improves treatment outcomes. Both groups had successful treatment outcomes, regardless of cleaning; however, cleaning before medication application was particularly important in patients with … [Read more...]
6 vet-verified essential nutrients cats need in their diets
Cats are obligate carnivores. They require nutrients from meat and other animal tissues to get eleven essential amino acids in their cat food. The author begins with protein to share six categories of nutrients cats need. Source: Catster, February 19, 2025. Link. Related: Understanding your cat’s appetite, Cat Food Advisor, January 27, 2025. Link. Image: Self.com … [Read more...]
Partners in pain detection
Research has shown that owners can recognize signs of pain in dogs, but little is known about how owners interpret signs associated with specific presentations and what factors influence the decision to seek veterinary care. Margaret E. Gruen, DVM, MVPH, PhD, DACVB, shares prospective study results that reveal the importance of proactive client education about signs of pain and … [Read more...]
Open or closed eyelid technique during STT-1?
Schirmer tear test-1 is the standard test for keratoconjunctivitis sicca (ie, KCS, dry eye) in dogs, but a third of veterinary ophthalmology community members surveyed do not consciously notice eyelid position during testing. While using a consistent open or closed eyelid technique is appropriate for STT-1, the small study reviewed here revealed manual closure of the eyelids … [Read more...]
Resources designed to help talk teeth and oral care
Sponsor Content Infographics are great tools to use when talking with clients about dental and oral care for their pets. These free dental health infographics are great educational tools for your clients that can help animal health pros spread the importance of dental health in pets during National Dental Health Month. The infographics provide information about periodontal … [Read more...]
Limiting the zoonotic risks of fungal skin infections
Dermatophytosis, often called ringworm, is the zoonotic fungal skin infection that most commonly affects cats and dogs. It is easily transferred where multiple pets are housed. Ringworm and other fungi species require effective cleaning and disinfection of the environment. Available treatment options include topical therapy and systemic therapy. Those handling infected animals … [Read more...]