The battle of sires, genetics and clones is complemented by a review of dairy consolidation. Of particular interest was article number 10, How milk producers can breed problem free dairy cows. No doubt dairy veterinary teams and company representatives will be hearing about some of these forward-looking concepts. Source: The Bullvine, January 21, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Choosing a trainer and training tips for dog owners (podcast)
There’s always more than enough training advice to go around. The real challenge is consistent execution. For animal health pros, it is important to continually reinforce consistent training approaches to help dogs’ and owners’ communal lives. . . . all dogs can benefit from training throughout their lives.” Samantha Balban discusses choosing trainers, training methods and … [Read more...]
Educating pet owners on correcting nuisance behaviors (video)
It’s not rocket science, but redirecting pets is not a normal reaction. Chris Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC, advocates pet owners redirect problem behaviors in their companion animals rather than responding with punishment. Have we provided the pet an appropriate outlet for nuisance behaviors? What do we want the animal to do?” - Chris Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC Source: DVM 360, … [Read more...]
Gonadectomy resources for veterinarians
Elective and often controversial, pet sterilization is an important part of pet owner decision making. As the risks and benefits of gonadectomy are re-examined, a renewed conversation about if and when to sterilize a pet is emerging. The AVMA stays on top of this topic and provides resources for veterinarians and pet owners as spay and neuter decisions are considered. As we … [Read more...]
Banks say consumers are in good shape. Cost of care opportunities?
Opinion, with Sponsored Content Believe it or not, top bankers say consumer spending is rebounding as we move past pandemic fears. Regardless of the bankers’ positions, veterinary teams and animal health businesses remain historically cautious when dealing with animal owners. Often criticized for prejudging pocketbooks, veterinary teams especially have opportunities every … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – January 20, 2022
Last week’s most read post Lyme-carrying ticks live longer. What? Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, Jan 13, 2022. Link. =========================== The world’s largest wildlife crossing could have a spring groundbreaking Source: LAist, January 13, 2022. Link. The Liberty Wildlife Crossing has been impressive since its … [Read more...]
Defining when to help during calving’s three stages
Understanding the stages of birthing is critical to identify when or if we need to provide help during calving season. Producers and veterinary teams alike want to increase the likelihood a calf is born alive and off to a good start, writes Mark Z. Johnson, Oklahoma State University Extension. With calving season just around the corner and labor challenges across the … [Read more...]
Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions for cow-calf producers
Michelle Arnold, DVM, covers 10 ways cow-calf producers can improve herd health and prevent as many problems as possible. Among them are quit believing Dr. Google and: Better records Improved water quality Test hay for quality before supplementing Involve a veterinarian and examine the herd vaccination program Improve biosecurity Source: BEEF, January 12, … [Read more...]
Background and research supports caffeine for high-risk calves
Zach Janssen, DVM, shares how producers came to use caffeine to stimulate at-risk calves that are the result of dystocia (difficult birth), hypothermia from being born in the cold or being run down from a stressful event such as disease or transport. While caffeine citrate has proven effective in humans, we are not able to feed this synthetically produced compound to animals … [Read more...]
Bird flu confirmed in wild duck in South Carolina
A wild American wigeon, a species of dabbling duck, was discovered with the highly pathogenic Eurasian H5 variant avian influenza. The virus was considered to pose a low risk of infection to humans, but APHIS issued warnings to poultry producers. Anyone involved with poultry production from the small backyard to the large commercial producer should review their biosecurity … [Read more...]
White-tailed deer can get Covid-19
A recent series of studies have showed white-tailed deer can become infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19. Other studies show wild white-tailed deer can also become infected. Samantha Wisely, professor of wildlife ecology at the University of Florida, details how to keep disease transmission from deer to humans low. Source: University of Florida Extension, … [Read more...]
Foal Patrol season 5. Watch live foaling cams.
Foal Patrol is a one-of-a-kind collection of live cameras following the daily activities of in-foal mares produced by the National Museum of Racing. Millions of people throughout the world have viewed the popular webcam program since its inaugural season in 2018. Source: EQUUS, January 5, 2022. Link. Season 5 will feature a new education site at www.foalpatrol.com/education to … [Read more...]
Kinesiology tape on dogs? You decide.
This article is in the red flag category. Review the information with your team before an 80-pound Staffordshire terrier mix comes into the clinic taped up like an injured professional wrestler or Olympic gymnast. Proponents say that kinesiology tape can help a dog recover from chronic and acute sports injuries. At the same time, kinesiology taping is not a magic cure-all, … [Read more...]
Pets can be an important part of your business plan
More than 70 percent of U.S. households include a pet and 88 percent of them think of it as part of the family. Plus, according to an ASPCA survey, 23 million American households added a new pet since the beginning of the pandemic. Modern pet parents want housing, workplaces, products and experiences to recognize and integrate their animals. Put another way — if your … [Read more...]
The case against retractable leashes
Retractable leashes have no place in dog training, says Nancy Kerns. The biggest problem with countless situations is when a dog is more than a couple of feet from the owner. There is nothing that can be done to get him back to your side. Retractable products can retract only when there is no tension on the line.” – Nancy Kerns Source: Whole Dog Journal, March 21, 2019. Link. … [Read more...]
5 scary consequences of neglecting pets’ oral care
Sponsored Commercial Content Every month and every visit to the veterinarian should include an oral care discussion about dogs and cats. The animal health industry parallels the dental months in human medicine with our own National Pet Dental Health Month in February supported by the AVMA. PetMD’s Dr. Hanie Elfenbein, DVM, PhD, reminds dog owners that poor oral hygiene … [Read more...]
Chatfields talk about CBD and pets — Episode 20
Complimentary Commercial Content So many questions. So much information. A lot of room for misunderstanding. The Chatfields visit with Cornell’s Joseph J. Wakshlag, DVM, PhD, to dig into what’s what. CBD? THC? Terpenes? WHAT?! Are all these the same? What are they? Did you know there are even different kinds of cannabidiol? Like CBDA? How much is safe for dogs? Cats? … [Read more...]
Rabies, lest we forget it’s importance
We often hear rabies is eliminated. It is true for canine rabies. It is NOT true for wildlife, especially bats. Scott Weese, DVM, recaps the 2021 rabies scene in the U.S. He shares details on the five human deaths due to rabies reported in 2021. This is the highest annual case count in the last decade. There’s limited penetration of rabies awareness education for the general … [Read more...]
New vision for animal services focuses on community wellness, professional certifications
Thank you to guest contributor, Brent Toellner, senior director of national programs, Best Friends Animal Society Tawny Hammond, national no kill leadership advancement director with Best Friends Animal Society, believes how we treat companion animals is a direct reflection of our communities’ overall well-being. She cites studies that support consistent, compassionate, … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – January 17, 2022
2021 trends in pet industry, social media and the pet industry, plastic neutral certification news, pet furnishing trends and more… Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, January 17, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – January 13, 2022
Last week’s most read posts Workplace bullying, a growing concern for HR departments. Link. To hug or not. Tools to solve the conundrum. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, January 6, 2022. Link. =========================== So you cried at work Source: Harvard Business Review, January 4, 2022. Link. To minimize the impact of … [Read more...]
U.S. producer pessimism grows
The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer slipped five points in November marking continued pessimism among producers indicating they are concerned about mounting costs. November marked the lowest reading of 2021 for all three measures of producer sentiment and comparing year-over-year, the barometer is 30 percent lower than in November of 2020. Source: The … [Read more...]
Cow toilet is more than a passing novelty (video)
Laugh no more at toilets for cows. A prototype has been awarded the Gold Innovation Award at the 2021 EuroTier. The objective of reducing ammonia omissions is possible, say Dutch dairy producers who are experimenting with prototypes. Plus, the urine can be used later as targeted crop nutrient fortification. Pure urine is high in nitrogen and potassium. Source: … [Read more...]
The best chicken names; A to Z
Humans love to name their critters and chickens are no exception. Some of these will help name some ducklings, too. Source: Countryside, January 5, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Pigeon fever documented in 25 states
Also called dryland distemper or Colorado strangles, pigeon fever develops when Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis bacteria enter a horse’s body, probably via insect bites or breaks in the skin. It has nothing to do with birds except the shape of the external infections often resemble the breast of a pigeon. The infection appears in three forms: External abscesses … [Read more...]
Tips for getting your cat clean with less drama
Occasionally, cats get dirty enough to need a bath. The author shares tips for making bath time less stressful on the cat and owner. Consider these resources for social media and newsletters to help cat owners clean up a dirty cat . Source: Tuft’s Catnip, November 22, 2021. Link. Also see: How to [safely] bathe a cat, ASPCA® Pet Insurance. Link. … [Read more...]
Millions of dog owners facing quandary over dog care as they return to work
More than 23 million American households adopted a pet during the pandemic – so far, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. And, boy how they pampered those pets. Americans spent $21.4 billion on nonmedical pet products through November and $28.4 billion on dog food, according to Euromonitor International. Rover, the dog sitting and boarding … [Read more...]
Reminder: February is Pet Dental Month
Opinion National Pet Dental Health Month is celebrated in February to reinforce the importance of pet dental health and as a reminder for pet owners to practice routine oral care on their pets. It is sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Call it dental care or oral care, it is a critical component of healthy pet management at home, in veterinary … [Read more...]
Top 10 states with the most overweight dogs across the U.S.
Pennsylvania, Virginia, Wisconsin and Georgia top the list with 16 pounds of excess weight as compared to the AKC-recommended weight chart. Source: Pet Business, November 16, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
The best de-shedding brushes
Pet owners often ask which tool is best to help capture and control shedding hair. Nine de-shedding tools are reviewed in this article. Most pets grow accustomed to frequent brushing. Owners find this to be an excellent time to bond and look over their pets. Source: Puppies and Pooches, August 12, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]