Pet King Brands, Inc., celebrates 20 years in business this year. The company makes Zymox skin care and Oratene brushless oral care products. In addition, Debra Decker joins the company as marketing chief and Michaela Kosmis becomes veterinary channel manager. Source: Today’s Veterinary Business, February 2019. Link. Zymox and Oratene are sold through veterinarian practices, … [Read more...]
Avoiding cost does not create value in calving date plans
As the cattle market approaches some expansion slowdown <link>, consider options for where and when calves are born. Despite the greatest total cost, June calving provided the lowest unit cost of production and greatest net profit per calf, thanks to greater weaning and carcass weights. Source: BEEF, January 23, 2019. Link. Calving dates and management systems are … [Read more...]
Observe manure to monitor nutritional status
Texas cow-calf consultant Dan Gary recommends using cow-pie-ology, the visual observation of manure, to determine the nutritional status of cattle. (research) shows . . . as manure piles stack up, more protein is needed. That’s because passage rate through the digestive system slows down and instead of a cow pie, there’s a cow stack. Conversely, excess protein results in … [Read more...]
Methane potent but not long-lived (audio interview)
Methane produced by livestock is the most potent of the gases in question, BUT it simply does not stick around all that long of time compared to gases created by the use of fossil fuels. . . . the three greenhouse gases are not created equal. CO2 and nitrous oxide, have a lifetime of 1000 years. Methane however has a lifespan of only 10 years Source: Radio Oklahoma … [Read more...]
CattleFax predicts slower and more measured pace in 2019
David Cooper shares a summary of the 2019 CattleFax outlook he heard during the 2019 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show. The cattle business cycle will enter a typical slowdown as this year progresses. Kevin Good, CattleFax analyst, explained that weather and profitability drive expansion in the beef industry. Prices for the U.S. will remain relatively … [Read more...]
Goodbye dead wagon, hello composting
Transporting carcasses of livestock mortalities is challenging to biosecurity, air quality and groundwater safety. This calls for new alternatives. Jennifer Shike shares her experience visiting a farm using an aeration composter and shares her thoughts on the science and the importance of the topic. Source: PORK, February 15, 2019. Link. Forced aeration composting is a win … [Read more...]
Avoid poisonous plants for goats
Goats eat everything, right? Apparently not. Knowing what to feed goats involves education. Katherine Drovdahl reviews toxic plants and acknowledges there is not a comprehensive list of toxic or poisonous plants for goats. Even good plants can develop into a dangerous toxic condition called enterotoxemia if goats overeat on any plant they are not used to Source: … [Read more...]
Managing feline constipation
Charting diagnostic steps, Glenn A. Olah, DVM, provides a helpful flow chart to help veterinary teams address feline constipation. Constipation can lead to complications including obstipation and megacolon. Source: Clinician’s Brief, September 2018. Link. INSIGHTS: Flow charts like this one are tremendous tools for reviewing diagnostic steps and for discussing the … [Read more...]
Acute feline urethral obstruction – a quiz
Test your blocked cat management skills with this interactive quiz. After reviewing the case information see how you score on which drugs are appropriate for the patient. Source: Clinician’s Brief, October 2018. Link. INSIGHTS: Quizzes like this are popular with animal health pros. They make great team meeting or lunch topics to reinforce knowledge and discuss choices … [Read more...]
Vaccinating mice may slow Lyme disease
Former veterinarian turned immunologist Mario Gomes-Solecki focused beyond animals susceptible to Lyme. She studied the large population of Borrelia burgdorferi infected white-footed mice and on reducing the number of ticks that become carrier after biting a mouse. Roughly half of ticks carrying Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, pick it up by … [Read more...]
DVMs called to action to reduce breeding of brachycephalic dogs
Paul McGreevy, PhD, and Anne Fawcett issue a challenge to the veterinary community’s role in reducing or preventing any negative health impacts of disorders in animals. They utilize brachycephalic or short-skulled dogs as their examples which include French bulldogs, pugs, British bulldogs, Boston terriers, and Cavalier King Charles spaniels. . . . given what we know, we’re … [Read more...]
Opinion – Chewing on topics for AHD
We often rely upon categories that represent frequent visits to veterinarians <link> to choose articles for you. We also review material about animals’ behavorial challenges. Here we share a selection of articles that come from media that target dog owners. These initially may not seem important to animal health pros. However, they are consistent with the top reasons for … [Read more...]
AVMA tackling technician underutilization
Veterinary technicians continue to struggle with low pay, compassion fatigue and burnout, as well as a lack of recognition and career advancement opportunities. Underutilization was the main topic during the AVMA’s house of delegates Veterinary Information Forum. Discussions included: how to encourage the consistent use of credentialed veterinary technicians as part of … [Read more...]
What retailers can do for healthier pets
Help DVM360 to investigate retailing and the interactions between pet retailers and veterinary hospitals. Take this short, 5-minute survey <link> and share your insight on the relationship between veterinary practices and pet retailers. Note: The survey is open to a wide set of categories of animal health pros. Vet professionals and pet retailers may have some of the … [Read more...]
Smarter snacks and treats
Consumers are seeking treats that are palatable to their pets and provide wholesome, natural nutrition at a good price, writes Keith Loria. He reviews trends, challenges and options in the retail treat marketplace. Source: Pet Product News, February 2019, page 40. Link. Loria reviews trends including superfoods, increased protein options and price sensitivity using … [Read more...]
Help clients offer diets for pets’ life stages
Deborah E. Linder, DVM, DACVN, Tufts University, recommends veterinarians study established guidelines and give clients clear direction in selecting the appropriate pet food at each life stage. Source: Clinician’s Brief, January 2017. Link. A careful discussion of BCS, life stage, medical conditions, and AAFCO nutrient adequacy statements can better guide owners in … [Read more...]
Control what you pay attention to and control your life
To be consistently productive and manage stress better, we must strengthen our skill in attention management. Attention management is the practice of: controlling distractions being present in the momentfinding flowmaximizing focusbeing intentional instead of reactiverecognizing when your attention is being stolen staying focused on the activities you choose. … [Read more...]
Generational management challenging, but can be done right
Right now, the U.S. workforce is made up of five different generations, (Link) all of which have their own opinions and expectations — about colleague camaraderie, about power dynamics, about work-life balance, and about office culture. And, that’s a good thing. Source: Medium Leadership, February 5, 2019. Link. For a younger employee, being dropped into a directorial role … [Read more...]
Ways to give people a good work experience (video)
Bhushan Sethi and Carol Stubbings believe good work in today’s employment environment needs to: involve a decent workplace contextoffer fair payhave tolerable levels of changegives autonomy and control over one’s workoffer a chance for fulfillment. Workers today want careers that fit their values, are enjoyable, and contribute to society. Source: Strategy + Business, … [Read more...]
Get your New Year’s resolutions back on track
Changing a pattern of behavior doesn’t happen overnight. We experience relapses. Instead of giving into self-defeating attitudes that typically accompany relapses, we can reflect on our past patterns — yes, even our relapses and ask ourselves: Why did I get off track? What’s my pattern of behavior in situations like this? Source: PurposeUnlimited.com, February 19, 2019 Link. … [Read more...]
Talking money, a team opportunity
Brendan Howard put some good thought to using Naomi Strollo’s assertions on talking money with clients. By making the topic a team challenge, there’s an excellent chance team members will be more likely to be more effective at presenting options to animal owners. Source: FIRSTLINE, January 30, 2019. Link. . . . reflect, discuss and get greater clarity and open … [Read more...]
There’s no such thing as a universal periodontal procedure fee
Barden Greenfield, DVM, DAVDC, cautions veterinary teams about the variability of dental procedures, client consent forms and client accessibility to approve of variations from a periodontal exam and treatment plan. 80 percent of all dogs and cats over the age of 3 years have some form of periodontal disease. Therefore, the initial treatment plan for an oral procedure is … [Read more...]
5 signs you spend too much time with your phone
Most of us know we likely spend too much time on our phones. From Facebook to games to email and texts, they’re a never-ending source of information, entertainment and frustration. A 2017 analysis of multiple studies found that people spend more than hours a day on their smartphones – the equivalent of a part-time job! The folks at grammerly share five signs of excessive … [Read more...]
The calf-fed conundrum
Calves are weaning heavier, often at weights where they go from the ranch to the feedyard without a growing phase in between. The conundrum? For as long as 90 days following placement, these cattle can show health issues later in the feeding period rather than when they first go on feed. From a health standpoint, we continue to go backward,” says Miles Theurer, DVM. “The … [Read more...]
Culling decisions and dairy cattle welfare during transport to slaughter in the United States
Twenty eight percent of dairy cows are removed from dairy herds each year. Cull cows are often transported long distances to slaughter and may face many welfare challenges during this process. The authors discuss specialized slaughter locations, what holds this culling system in place and opportunities to improve cull cow welfare. At each point of sale and during each leg of … [Read more...]
Transportation biosecurity is imperfect at best
Biosecurity is one of the greatest ways to mitigate risk. Procedures cannot fully eliminate cross contamination. Clayton Johnson, DVM, suggests producers focus on controlling what they can when it comes to risk management in their pork operations. Source: PORK, February 7, 2019. Link. There are three main principles that come into play when it comes to biosecurity on the … [Read more...]
Animal Health Protection Act enforced by USDA and FDA
Pre-signing the interstate certificate of veterinary inspection without inspecting the cattle has a Kentucky DVM waiting for sentencing. Illegally moving cattle across state lines with fraudulent paperwork is a federal offense. Source: Drover’s, January 21, 2019. Link. Under federal law prior to shipment across state lines cattle are required to be inspected by a … [Read more...]
Ruminations from NCBA Cattle Con (includes video)
Burke Teichert < link > reflects on his experiences during this year’s Cattle Industry Convention. His years of work show in his “I wonder” topics. The video interview reveals his wisdom and he challenges us to keep learning. My challenge is for all of us to become better and more engaged life-long learners—to become better systems thinkers and observers. Source: BEEF, … [Read more...]
Bad attitude or equine ulcers?
Show horses are prime candidates for ulcers because exercise, stress and travel are proven risk factors. “The interesting thing about this disease is that it seems to be affected by the environmental stressors,” Sherry Johnson, DVM, says. “Management, stress levels and even housing conditions have been shown in literature to be associated with a horse’s chances of developing … [Read more...]
She’s not pregnant. That cat is fat!
Overweight cats are at risk for a host of health issues. Sassafras Lowrey shares five health risks for overweight cats worthy of sharing with cat owners: DiabetesHigh blood pressureBone/joint damageFatty liver diseaseSkin problems Cats who are overweight are known to have shorter life spans, and the associated health problems can be deadly to the cat. Not only that, … [Read more...]