Sponsored Commercial Content Cleaning can mean everything from straightening up to scrubbing down. When it comes to disinfecting and sanitizing, the definitions, as set by the Centers for Disease Control, are more clear-cut. Sarah Showfety shares the definitions and actions from a home environment perspective. The step-by-step guidance is appropriate for veterinary clinics, … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – December 9, 2021
Last week’s . . . . . . most read November 2021 post Study suggests health benefits by feeding dogs once a day. Link. . . . AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin. Link. . . . AHD posts one year ago Archives for December 2020, Animal Health Digest. Link. Amazon exec says Black Friday sales broke records Source: The Hill, November 28, … [Read more...]
Pen-side BRD test may save industry millions, reduce antibiotic use
Researchers at Purdue University have developed an on-site bovine respiratory disease test that give results within an hour. BRD causes half the cattle deaths in North American and costs the beef industry $900 million a year. Current testing takes several days, so farmers must treat before knowing what pathogen caused the disease which can lead to ineffective or overuse of … [Read more...]
Pain predictor research
As animal welfare concerns grow, pain evaluation methods are being challenged and researched. Heart rate variability is one of the possible indicators being researched. Maureen Hansen shares how technology and analytics are being implemented in different production scenarios to monitor heart rate variability. Source: Bovine Veterinarian, October 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Survey: Attitudes regarding using analgesia in U.S. beef and dairy cattle
Many surveyed respondents indicated they were cognizant of the benefits of analgesia use in cattle, but perceived federal regulations and drug costs as impediments to the implementation of pain mitigation protocols on cattle operations. Source: JAVMA, January 15, 2021, Abstract only. Link. In general, frequency of analgesia use increased as cattle age increased, regardless … [Read more...]
Pork community focused on environmental stewardship
Opinion While traveling between Kansas City, Missouri, and the Twin Cities recently, heavy smells from poultry and pork production facilities seemed reduced compared to trips over the past two decades. Although prevailing winds might be partly responsible, more facilities are bordered by trees, ventilation systems have been added to existing buildings, green space expansions … [Read more...]
Even with screening, equine cardiac problems prove difficult to catch
Medina Spirit, the 2021 Kentucky Derby winner, died of an apparent heart attack December 6, 2021 at Santa Anita, California. While tragic, we’re reminded that screening for equine cardiac problems is not as easy as you'd think, especially in racehorses. Natalie Voss presents information equine veterinarian specialists shared during discussions about the realities and challenges … [Read more...]
Just fat, hay belly or getting on in years?
These two articles about horse obesity will be useful to horse owners. Poor-quality feed can fool horse owners when their horse looks like it’s getting fat. Feeding low-quality hay that lacks adequate protein and fiber is the cause of a horse’s belly hanging low and out to the sides. Called “hay belly,” the condition happens when poor-quality feed sits in the large … [Read more...]
Teaching the Velcro dog independence
If a dog is underfoot at every turn or is the owner’s shadow its likely it could be a Velcro dog. Various resources suggest dogs learn this behavior through inadvertent training and reinforcement of clingy behavior. Also, certain breeds that are more prone to clinginess than others. We’re sharing articles about dealing with the Velcro behaviors and teaching the dog to be … [Read more...]
Inbreeding contributes to higher costs of dog care
Most dog breeds are highly inbred, contributing to a lifelong increase in disease and health care costs. New research confirms dog breeds with higher levels of inbreeding were more likely than other breeds to need additional veterinary care. Study researchers found that the average inbreeding was close to 25 percent, which is similar to the amount of genetic similarity found … [Read more...]
Feline nuisance behaviors; it’s a thing.
Feline nuisance behaviors are normal behaviors that occur in problematic ways and are not inherently pathological, says Chris Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC. He offers items to consider before making recommendations to cat owners for curbing their cat’s nuisance behavior. Cats have the potential to annoy people and sometimes pose a danger to themselves or others in the household. … [Read more...]
Survey says pets are as costly as a child
According to a new survey by OnePoll in partnership with MetLife, 40 percent of pet parents believe that having a pet is just as expensive than raising a child, if not more. The findings show that the average pet owner spends over $4,500 on their pet’s basic needs each year. Sixty-one percent of owners said that owning a pet is more expensive than they initially thought. … [Read more...]
What to do with pets’ itches
Complimentary Sponsored Content Itching is one of the most common reasons pet owners seek veterinary care. In this episode, Dr. Jen the vet and Jason Chatfield, DVM, are joined by Dr. Millie Rosales, a board-certified veterinary dermatologist. They discuss common reasons pets itch. From skin testing for most popular environmental allergens to serology, veterinary medicine … [Read more...]
Top pet products of 2021
The 20th annual Pet Business Industry Recognition Awards celebrate the most innovative products and companies in the pet care category. Among the products are several treats, diets and supplements. With obesity issues affecting over half of all dogs and cats, veterinary teams and OTC retailers are advised to monitor the Kcal levels in these offerings. Source: Pet Business, … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites, December 6, 2021
Leveraging 2021 shopping trends, Mark Cushing on advocating for animals, veterinary backlogs, top pets names for 2021 and more. Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, December 6, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Manage seasonal affective disorder
About one in 20 U.S. residents suffer from seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, according to Norman Rosenthal, a clinical professor of psychiatry at Georgetown University of School of Medicine. SAD occurs during winter and causes people to become depressed, feel sluggish and be uninterested in things they previously enjoyed, among other symptoms. This article and podcast … [Read more...]
Tips to stay focused on the tasks at hand
We’ve never been more distracted at work than we are today, writes Naphtali Hoff. As we fragment our attention, fatigue and stress increase, which negatively affects performance. According to research cited by the Society for Human Resource Management: Workers are interrupted by e-mail, instant messages and other digital distractions nearly 14 times per day on average … [Read more...]
Toxic positivity
If you are overworked and underpaid in an organization that does not match your values or permit you to achieve your goals, thinking positive thoughts is not going to change the situation. Source: Inc. November 20, 2021. Link. This "let's all be positive no matter what" attitude is depressingly common throughout the business world. INSIGHTS: Reality requires logic … [Read more...]
8 steps to creating better cybersecurity on your PCs
Sponsored Content We used to be able to download a simple AV program and call it good. With cyber criminals constantly finding new ways into networks we need to take a layered approach to how we protect our businesses.”- Clint Latham, JD Source: Lucca Veterinary Data Security, LinkedIn, December 6, 2021. Link. Latham says to use end-point security to secure end-user devices … [Read more...]
High debt load versus post-graduation salary ratios common to veterinarians, dentists and chiropractors
Rising student debt is doing more than harming individual borrowers, according to some professional associations and professors. It is also hurting the occupations the borrowers are entering. The Wall Street Journal’s analysis of nearly 500 programs classified as professional degrees found roughly 76 percent of professional programs left recent students with higher debt loads … [Read more...]
Fidu, Hill’s partner on free veterinary nutrition teleconsultation service
Complimentary Content Nutritional evaluation, the fifth vital assessment, constitutes a core component of every pet’s veterinary examination. Proper nutrition promotes wellness and helps manage illness, and pet parents crave specific diet recommendations for their canine and feline family members. Now nutrition consultations, which often cost more than $200, are being … [Read more...]
Curbside check-in. A new standard in veterinary medicine?
Effective communication techniques, efficient clinic workflows and virtual platforms that streamline client services help define a new level of service for animal owners at veterinary practices. Mary Lopez, MSOL, shares how commitment to curbside service as a new standard of care can positively impact operations, workflows, speed, convenience and safety regulations at … [Read more...]
Evolving the window shopping experience (includes podcast)
Trends in consumer shopping reflect how animal owners seek products and services are discussed in this episode of the Retail Gets Real podcast. All commerce is becoming digital — even when it happens in store.” “Shoppers are operating in a more blended world as the boundaries between physical and digital shopping start to fall away. For example, 68 percent of shoppers say … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – December 2, 2021
Did you miss a week or two? Check the AHD Bulletin archives. Animal Health Digest Bulletin Link. Email signatures can increase brand awareness, drive traffic and generate leads Source: MarTech, November 22, 2021. Link. There are three times more individual email accounts than both Facebook and Twitter social media profiles combined. That’s not all. You are … [Read more...]
National Influenza Vaccination Week Begins December 5
If you or your team members haven’t been vaccinated for the flu, there’s no better time than next week. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has proclaimed December 5 through 11 as National Influenza Vaccination Week. Source: CDC. Link. The free digital toolkit includes social media content, shareable assets, Twitter chat and sample newsletter blurbs and … [Read more...]
Dairy markets don’t care about cost of production
The cost of nearly everything has gone up for dairy farmers and farm margins are being squeezed, writes Nate Donnay. What markets do care about is how much supply is available, and there is better news for farmers there. Understanding farm margin calculations can help veterinary teams and those calling directly on dairies to align services with opportunities to avoid costs … [Read more...]
Starlings. Rats with wings!
There are an estimated 160 million European starlings nationwide. In a September post <Link> we raised concerns about nuisance birds, such as starlings, as costly and as potential disease carriers in fecal-oral fomite cycles. These birds cause issues on farms and swarm as scavengers in cities and towns consuming songbird seed, garden waste and garbage. According to … [Read more...]
AABP develops cattle vaccination guidelines for members
The American Association of Bovine Practitioners’ Committee on Pharmaceuticals and Biologics has developed vaccination guidelines for its members to use when designing client vaccination protocols. Likely the first of its kind for cattle, the guidelines provide member practitioners with the base knowledge necessary to construct protocols customized to bovine client needs across … [Read more...]
Camel culture alive in U.S.
Camel culture in the U.S. goes back to 1855. Today’s camel enthusiasts gathered at the Southwest Camel Conference and Training Clinic in October to learn and share about camel development in today’s agricultural setting. The event featured Alice Blue-McLendon, Texas A&M Veterinary Sciences department professor, and Charmian Wright, a Utah veterinarian. About 5,000 camels … [Read more...]
Water as a nutrient in horse care
Complimentary Content supported by Ritchie® Nancy S. Loving, DVM, offers advice on ensuring your horses get the quantity and quality of water they need for optimal health. She covers: The role of water in horse health Summer and winter hydration needs Is your horse dehydrated? Source: Stable Management Extra, Volume 9. Link. Water consumption depends on many … [Read more...]