Though using their mouths on our hands, arms, legs, hair and clothes is natural behavior for dogs, they must learn to interact in ways that are appropriate in our world. Karen B. London, PhD The degree to which dogs learn not to use the full force of their mouths on people and other dogs is called “bite inhibition,” and it is the most important part of a dog’s … [Read more...]
Benefits of multi-cat households hard to prove
Conducting an appraisal of published literature, researchers sought to assess evidence of the impact of cat group size on cat well-being in domestic homes. The appraisal results highlight the complex, multifactorial relationships between cat well-being and various social and environmental factors. These may be as important than the numbers of cats living in a … [Read more...]
Special days coming in March
Savvy animal health pros will find reasons to conduct outreach, have themes in house or start conversations using one of these featured day or week designations. Source: National Today. Link Here’s what we found for the first part of March 2022. National If Pets Had Thumbs Day – March 3, 2022 National Professional Pet Sitters Week – March 6-12, 2022 National K9 … [Read more...]
Pet ownership linked to slower cognitive decline
In a study thought to be the first to consider the effect of duration of pet ownership on cognitive health, pet ownership was especially beneficial for working verbal memory, such as memorization of word lists. Owning household pets for five years or more produced the most benefit, delaying cognitive decline by 1.2 points over the six-year period of the study compared with … [Read more...]
Become a Veterinarian Camp Contest 2022
Please share this opportunity with your local middle school administrators, counselors, science teachers and youth groups. Vet Set Go together with Merck Animal Health and VCA Animal Hospitals is inviting rising sixth, seventh and eighth grade students to enter the sixth annual Vet Set Go Become a Veterinarian Camp Contest 2022. The online essay contest will award three … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – February 28, 2022
Power shifts in pet industry, veterinarians burning out, 2022 focus areas for small business, Google arts and culture app uses AI to find pet lookalikes, Target Corporation accelerator looking for pet startups, pets and our brains plus more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, February 28, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
It’s just semantics . . . NOT!
Semantics isn’t just a superficial difference of opinion even though often we use semantics as a reason to end a debate. Semantics is important because words, sentences, and phrases frame our reality. Disputes about semantics and meaning can be big deals. However, disagreeing about word choices versus meaning is lexicography or diction. That’s just semantics or You’re just … [Read more...]
MD discusses key differences between in-person and virtual (video)
We can all learn from perspectives in human medicine as we adopt and learn where virtual care in animal health fits. Embracing some of this new technology is beneficial, shares Remo Panaccione, MD, but the importance of interacting face to face with a patient remains a cornerstone of health care. One of the more important things is if we're going to deliver virtual care, we … [Read more...]
Too many pets kept alive when it’s not the kindest option, say vets
Some veterinarians are warning too many owners are spending huge amounts of money on keeping their pets alive, even when it’s not the most humane option, writes Rachel Hall. Although veterinary science has made impressive advances in recent years, some say extending an animal’s life at all costs is not always the best option for them and can result in bills of thousands of … [Read more...]
Deer strains of SARS-CoV-2 might be emerging
Scientists estimate that more than six of every 10 known infectious diseases in people can be spread from animals, and three out of every four new or emerging infectious diseases in people come from animals <Link>. In a recent Worms and Germs blog, Scott Weese, DVM, shares details and speculation about SARS-CoV-2 infections in the highly susceptible deer population. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – February 24, 2022
Last week’s most read post Customers speak with their wallets; beef producers can’t ignore the results. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, February 17, 2022. Link. =========================== UK’s veterinary workforce crisis deepens; registrants drop by over two-thirds Source: British Veterinary Association, … [Read more...]
Get ready for calving
If everything goes right, very little is needed to support cows as they calve. However, its’s rare to have every calf born without any intervention. Miranda Reiman shares what is needed in a calving toolbox and other preparations to help cattle producers be ready for everything that might happen. Source: Angus Beef Bulletin, February 2002, page 6. Link. INSIGHTS: This is … [Read more...]
Simple trick for keeping cattle calm
To reduce chute stress and increase worker safety, blindfolding cattle, horses and wildlife is a time proven, humane way to calm a restrained animal. Blindfolding may help avoid sedative use and the potential risks associated with them. The blindfolded animal is calmer and this strategy is also more humane than many other types of restraint. We know a blindfold works for other … [Read more...]
Ventilation video series for swine producers
Contains Commercial Content Proper barn ventilation is a key factor in promoting swine health and productivity. AP, an AGCO brand, developed a series of 14 short ventilation videos with tips to help producers unlock better year-round performance and improve animal health. Source: National Hog Farmer, February 10, 2022. Link. INSIGHTS: Consider this resource to educate … [Read more...]
New study says opossums DO NOT like eating ticks
From websites to publications to social media, the idea that opossums help save humans from tick-borne ailments is broadly proliferated. Bret Collier, PhD refutes the tick vacuum designation citing study methods from a 2009 study versus a 2021 Hennessy and Hild study of wild opossum stomach contents. Source: Field and Stream, January 5, 2022. Link. INSIGHTS: Like the … [Read more...]
How equine supplements complement forage
Sometimes hay just isn’t enough, says Clair Thune. She shares how equine supplements can help horses get the nutrients they need to thrive. Source: Equine Wellness, February 2, 2022. Link. Look for products that provide at least 50 percent of the National Research Council guidelines for copper and zinc and 100 percent of the guidelines for vitamin E. Note that the amounts … [Read more...]
Why dogs bite and how to stop it
Behavior problems remain a primary reason dogs are relinquished or euthanized. Bite aggression is one of those behaviors that cause owners to give up on their dogs. Victoria Stillwell’s article is a good resource to share with dog owners. The most important advice says Stillwell, is to be your dog’s advocate and try not to put pressure on her to greet other people on walks … [Read more...]
Mental stimulation matters for dogs
. . . just 15 minutes of mental stimulation can have the same positive benefits of an hour of physical exercise in dogs.” The author outlines the top tips and tricks to ensure dogs’ mental health stays as fit as their physical bodies. Source: Happy Puppy Tips. Link. INSIGHTS: Consider this article for newsletters and social media. It reinforces the need for exercise in … [Read more...]
Food puzzles for cats
Most, if not all, cats can adjust to food puzzles, given time, patience and proper staging of difficulty. The overriding objective should be to provide all food from puzzles. Food puzzles are considered important as part of a multimodal enrichment plan. Source: AAFP, LinkedIn, February 18, 2022. Link. This 2016 clinical review article presents puzzles of all kinds and their … [Read more...]
Top herbs that help promote dental health
Sharing symptomatic remedies, not cures, Greg Tilford emphasizes working with veterinarians, taking a hard look at the food an animal receives, and including an occasional raw bone to scrub off tartar and build healthy gleaming teeth. His list of favorite herbs, plus kelp are options he suggests that minimize discomfort while enhancing the health of the pet’s teeth and gums and … [Read more...]
5 ways to end a run-on conversation at work
Drawing the line in conversation can be difficult, but failing to do so can harm our relationships. Closing the conversation should be done sparingly, writes Ximena Vengoechea, who offers several techniques to effectively and politely end a conversation: Timeboxing Take a time out Use a diversion Acknowledge it is over Distance yourself Source: The Muse, … [Read more...]
Ghosting
When I first heard some of my younger colleagues talking about ghosting, I thought it was some type of a Ghostbusters slime game like silly string. (Okay, I’m old.) Unfortunately, it’s not a game. So, two thoughts – don’t do it to others and if it happens to you or, as Judith Humprey offers, here are a couple of strategies to handle it. Source: Fast Company, February 9, … [Read more...]
Tear down the walls
Highlighting facts that as many as half of U.S. pets won’t visit a veterinary practice this year, Bob Lester, DVM, says the veterinary profession risks becoming a service available only to wealthy animal owners. He shares a list of 15 current or near-future models that would help more families and their animals benefit from veterinary care. A spectrum of care approach might … [Read more...]
Truth sandwiches about dogs and cats
One of the objectives of Animal Health Digest is to provide visibility to the ever-increasing information and misinformation being shot into animal health media narratives daily. Zazie Todd, PhD, shares how to counter misinformation about companion animal behavior and topics. . . . there are a lot of incorrect ideas out there about how to care for or train your pet ; some of … [Read more...]
Alert! Highly pathogenic avian influenza now identified in 13 states and counting
Opinion It can be hard to know how to react to disease incidence reports. Animal health pros tendency to to ignore reports until we see a disease is a concern, yet HPAI continues to show up in poultry and non-poultry birds. The next HPAI incident may literally fly over your location today . . . the time to ACT* is NOW!” – Kirk Augustine In Maine, a new case reported was … [Read more...]
The science of gratitude
Whether you hope to boost your mood and mental health, protect your physical health or improve your personal relationships, a rich body of social science research has found that gratitude offers important benefits. Research shows gratitude isn’t just a pleasant feeling. Being grateful can also support greater health, happiness, and wisdom in ourselves and our … [Read more...]
5 texting etiquette rules to know
There ARE rules that guide texting behavior complete with widely accepted, yet unspoken, etiquette. The author shares tips in case you are accidentally sending mixed signals: Use emojis judiciously Watch your punctuation Don’t send a million texts Don’t use ALL CAPS Use the right laughter level Source: Word Genius, November 26, 2021. Link. Also see: … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – February 17, 2022
Last week’s most read post Emotions – make them work for you. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, February 10, 2022. Link. =========================== Dog breeds that shed the most Source: Puppies and Pooches, February 10, 2022. Link. Prospective dog owners not prepared for the constant vacuuming and brushing … [Read more...]
Customers speak with their wallets; beef producers can’t ignore the results
Speaking at the recent National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Cattle Industry Convention, Randy Blach, CattleFax CEO, shared how value-added programs paying high premiums have boosted beef demand and spread wealth throughout the industry. Driven by premiums and value-added programs, CattleFax forecasts show strong price growth for calves, feeder calves, fed cattle and bred cows … [Read more...]
New direction in digital dermatitis treatment in dairy cattle
Research published in the Veterinary Record provides a clear welfare justification for giving NSAIDs to dairy cows with active digital dermatitis lesions, with significant milk yield benefits. The study suggests that the use of Ketofen in the treatment of pain and lameness associated with active digital dermatitis lesions may be beneficial for animal welfare as it is associated … [Read more...]