Last week’s most read posts – The top pet products of 2022. Link. Last AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, December 8, 2022. Link. ====================================================== When coyotes attacked, a dog killed 8 of them, saving a flock of sheep Source: The Washington Post, December 9, 2022. Link. John Weirwille sprang out of bed early … [Read more...]
Scott A. Dee, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVM, on his career (video)
Discussing his career transition intentions after 35 years, Dr. Dee will be staying with Pipestone and adjusting his focus on a subset of specific projects, including feed risk, U.S. SHIP, and our IMAGINE AMR study. He shares standout moments, major contributions, some untold stories, what he will miss most and more. Source: Swineweb, December 6, 2022. Link. (21 minutes) He … [Read more...]
Boredom busters for urban chickens
Following the trend in keeping animals occupied, Jodi Helmer shares boredom busters to keep urban hens happy. . . . it’s essential to provide opportunities for enrichment, including novel materials, entertaining experiences, and puzzles to solve.” Source: Backyard Poultry, December 6, 2022. Link. INSIGHTS: Helmer’s tips are good content for social media, newsletters and … [Read more...]
Environmental toxins and their impact on dogs
Dogs are affected by environmental toxins just like people are, says Lauren Trepanier, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (SAIM), DACVCP. She shares research about lymphoma and bladder cancer and how toxic chemicals in homes and yards contribute to risk. Animals can help us detect environmental dangers to people.” Source: Morris Animal Foundation, TedXMileHigh, October 21, 2022. Link. (21 … [Read more...]
Helpful gifts for someone going through chemo
Most of us know or have known someone going through cancer treatment. It can be exhausting and isolating. Created with input from people who’ve endured chemotherapy, this list of 32 gift ideas that are helpful to patients. Source: SELF, December 6, 2022. Link. “When you’re going through this, the support and little gestures from your friends and family do mean the world to … [Read more...]
Signs of decision fatigue and tips to manage it
Decision fatigue can affect anyone. It is different than indecisiveness. It is the result of the volume of decisions, small or large, we make daily and further compounded by having so many choices. Elizabeth Yuko, PhD, says decision fatigue is mental energy depletion that sets in after making a series of decisions in a fixed time. She shares ways to manage it. Source: … [Read more...]
Gen Z speaks, writes differently than their bosses
If you are perplexed by young employees’ writing and conversation, chances are they’re just as confused by yours. Those born between 1997 and 2012 are bringing their own style of communication to work. In multigenerational workplaces, this new style can create confusion and angst. This article offers examples of how new and traditional styles of communication can help bridge … [Read more...]
VetWatch® Commentary for Week 48 thru December 7th
Opinion The numerical trends in the VetWatch updates can appear to be minimal. However, considering the average annual value of a cat at about $400 and the average annual value of a dog is at least $900, retaining and engaging clients is critical to long-term practice revenue, healthier pets and happier clients. Simple math shows a veterinarian with 4000 active clients of … [Read more...]
Antibiotics for livestock become prescription-only in 2023. Are you ready?
Sandy Stuttgen reviews the changes when the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine plan for supporting veterinary antimicrobial stewardship will be fully implemented. As of January 1, 2023, all remaining over-the-counter antibiotics are switched to prescription-only status. The VCPR is the key that unlocks the medicine cabinet. Source: Swineweb, December 2, 2022. Link. Under … [Read more...]
Let’s review: Drugs used to prevent heartworm in dogs and cats
Lindsay A. Starkey, DVM, PhD, DACVM, tackles what has become a plethora of drugs available to prevent heartworm. She reviews the macrocyclic lactone-based drugs the Food and Drug Administration approved for prevention of heartworm disease and Environmental Protection Agency approved mosquito repellents. Source: Clinician’s Brief, October 2022. Link. INSIGHTS: We recently … [Read more...]
The top pet products of 2022
Pet Business’ annual Industry Recognition Awards highlights the products and vendors that drove innovation in the pet industry over the past year. In addition to new beds, leashes, treats and CBD/hemp products, here are examples we noted: Animo GPS - Merck Animal Health; an activity monitor for dogs with GPS tracking Recovery Double Sleeves - Suitical International … [Read more...]
Jonathan the tortoise celebrates 190th birthday
Commentary Jonathan, the Seychelles giant tortoise, is estimated to be 190 years old and the world’s oldest land animal, according to Guinness. The giant tortoise is blind and can’t smell, but his hearing is great. He lives a pampered life on St. Helena Island, a British overseas territory located in the South Atlantic Ocean which lies about 1,200 miles west of the … [Read more...]
Find happiness at work instead of quiet quitting
Craig Barkacs focuses on the real, underlying issue at hand when people talk about quiet quitting: unhappy employees. Workers in that situation have four options: Do nothing Quit Quiet quit Do something to improve the situation, so they can be happier. Barkacs advocates taking time and space before acting using an acronym, S-P-A-C-E, which stands for Sincerity, … [Read more...]
Research trend: Outcomes research in animal health and veterinary medicine
Outcomes research is becoming more prevalent in animal health circles. An outcomes research approach considers an element of value along with an outcome of interest which sets it apart from traditional research approaches. It is an approach that evaluates more than the benefits of practices and interventions for veterinary patients. Value can be measured by many … [Read more...]
CDC’s latest pandemic guidelines for travel and events
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is encouraging the public to wear face masks again to prevent the spread of RSV, flu and Covid-19 over the holidays. The agency advises that those who are traveling or have weakened immune systems to wear face coverings. One need not wait on CDC action in order to put a mask on. We would encourage all of preventative measures such … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – December 1, 2022
Last week’s most read posts – The power of questions. Link. Last AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, November 22, 2022. Link. 'Mpox' is the new name for monkeypox, the WHO says Source: LiveScience, November 28, 2022. Link. Citing scientific inaccuracy and racial stigmatism, the term monkeypox will be phased out over the upcoming year, … [Read more...]
Alginate hydrogel beads show promise during pig transport
Seeking ways to support pigs during the stresses of transport, a group from Texas Tech University studied possible benefits of providing pigs electrolytes and a glucose source in alginate hydrogel beads*. During transport, AHB pigs had more lying activities than those pigs not exposed to beads. After transport AHB pigs sat more and tended to move more than the pigs not exposed … [Read more...]
Ramey: Can horses have mental illness?
There's no objective way to tell if a horse might have mental illness, writes David Ramey, DVM. While he thinks it's possible, it is admittedly hard to tell. Source: The Paulick Report, August 22, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Almost 27, Flossie is the world’s oldest living cat
Born in 1995, Flossie has been in several homes since living as a stray kitten in Liverpool, England. Vicki Green, Flossie’s fourth owner, adopted the elderly pet after it was handed in to the UK cat welfare charity, Cats Protection. The oldest cat who ever lived, Crème Puff, reached the age of 38 years and three days passing on August 6, 2005. Source: CNN, November 25, … [Read more...]
Rapid growth in hookworm prevalence and resistance
Hookworm prevalence has increased from 4 percent in 2018 to almost 50 percent three years later, according to a study published in Clinician’s Brief in August 2020 <Link>. Kim Campbell Thornton shares a troubling situational perspective on prevalence across the U.S. and the challenges of growing drug resistance for all three major classes of dewormers. We recommend ALL … [Read more...]
A better approach to networking
In the next five weeks, many animal health pros will start the convention attendance gauntlet. Networking is one of the benefits of industry gatherings. Still, meeting strangers is uncomfortable for most people especially in the context of work. Christie Hunter Arscott shares the importance of: Focusing on what you’re going to ask, not what you’re going to say Moving … [Read more...]
Gifts that cost little to nothing
Most of us care more about thought than monetary value. And there are a slew of gifts that cost little to nothing, says Erica Pandey. Holiday shopping is worrying people, especially as inflation is driving up the cost of holiday gifts. What most gift-givers don't realize is that it really is the thought that counts.” Pandey shares a list of gifts you can give that rank high … [Read more...]
WHO cites antimicrobial resistance as one of the top 10 threats to humanity
Reinforcing the messaging of the World Antimicrobial Awareness Week the senior animal health officer for FAO, discusses the impact antimicrobial resistance is having on animal health. Misuse and overuse of antimicrobial drugs in human medicine, veterinary medicine, and food production have put our future at risk.” Source: News Medical, November 24, 2022. Link. Responsible and … [Read more...]
The skinny on fat
Beef eaters enjoy well-marbled meat. For feedlot operators, fat in cattle increases revenue potential. Haley Zynda shares some fat facts and the importance of calf health and nutrition before terminal feeding practices in the feedlot. These statements are important considerations: . . . intramuscular and subcutaneous fat begin to deposit well before the calf is even born . … [Read more...]
Six Horse Hitch Championship Finals to air on RFD-TV (video)
Horse enthusiasts will enjoy this week’s one-hour special of “Gentle Giants” which covers the 2021-2022 North American Six Horse Hitch Classic Series Championship Finals. The top 12 hitches of Belgians, Percherons and Clydesdales from the U.S. and Canada thunder into the arena, competing for $100,000 and the World Championship. Thursday, November 24, 2022, 9 p.m. CST; Friday, … [Read more...]
Peace of mind medicine: The importance of telehealth and virtual care in veterinary medicine
Complimentary Content Guest Jessica Trimble, DVM, explains the importance of offering virtual services, and how they can affect both clients and staff in this edition of The Vet Blast Podcast. She discusses benefits and challenges of implementing virtual care and telehealth. Source: The Vet Blast Podcast, DVM 360 , November 17, 2022. Link. (18 … [Read more...]
Snoop Dogg enters the pet apparel and accessories business
Complimentary Commercial Content Snoop Dogg has introduced Snoop Doggie Doggs, a new pet accessory line inviting dogs and cats to live like royalty with his news line of apparel, toys and accessories. The product range was created in partnership with SMAC Entertainment and Little Earth Productions, Inc. Source: Cision, November 21, 2022. Link. Positioned as a fun and … [Read more...]
Not One More Vet – November 2022
NOMV’s latest newsletter shares efforts to support the transformation of mental health wellness in the veterinary profession. Source: NOMV, November 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Most read AHD posts
These posts meet our criteria for high readership. They reflect our readers’ interests, challenges and opportunities. Source: Animal Health Digest. Some most read posts from recent AHD Bulletins include: Confronting your biases (video) <Link> African swine fever . . . catching up <Link> Need to vent? <Link> Veterinarians shouldn’t do it all … [Read more...]
Archives help animal health pros catch up on their reading
There are plenty of demands on animal health pros during fall and holiday periods. It is easy to get behind on reading. The Animal Health Digest archives offer a quick way to scroll through posts. We’ve provided links to the posts for August through November here: Archives for August 2022 <Link> Archives for September 2022 <Link> Archives for October 2022 … [Read more...]