Studies show that keeping dogs lean contributes significantly to their health and well-being, writes Denise Flaim. A 14-year Purina Life Span Study found dogs with restricted diets lived 15 percent longer than those with less-restricted diets. That’s almost two years. Despite the compelling evidence for the upside of slimming down, the reality is that thin isn’t In . . . when … [Read more...]
How dogs see the world and TV
Dogs hear better than us for sure. When it comes to sight dogs see the world differently. Two articles from PetMD offer a look at dog vision, including TV watching. Sources: How do dogs see the world? Pet MD. Link. Can dogs see TV? Pet MD. Link. INSIGHTS: Consider these articles for social media or newsletters. … [Read more...]
Which dogs live the longest?
Some breeds live longer than others . This article shares dog breeds with long average life expectancies. For a canine companion that has a long average life, choose small dog breeds.” Source: Puppies and Pooches, January 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
The weird way we’re changing cats
Truly allergen-free cats are a myth. However, biotechnology may help where genetics has failed, writes Sarah Zhang. An obnoxious little protein, Fel d 1, found in feline saliva and oil glands causes most cat allergies. Zhang discusses the various ways scientists have been working to reduce the production of Fel d 1 with diets and immune approaches. Source: The Atlantic, … [Read more...]
November is Epilepsy Awareness Month
As the most common medical neurologic disease in dogs, epilepsy has a profound impact on quality of life for affected dogs and their owners. Epilepsy affects one in every 100 dogs and refers to recurrent seizures resulting from an abnormality in brain function. Source: AKC, November 8, 2021. Link. Since 1995, the AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) and its donors have … [Read more...]
It’s okay to sleep with your pet
The long-held answer to whether to share a bed with a pet has been “NO”. But recent studies have shown that pets in the bedroom could be beneficial for some of us. And it appears both pets and people benefit from spending the night together in bed. In general, it is a very good thing for animals to sleep with their people." – Dana Varble, DVM, CAE Source: CNN, November 5, … [Read more...]
Front desk persons anchor customer experiences and are more important than ever
In a post from June 7, 2016, Katherine Dobbs, RVT, CVPM, PHR reminded front desk persons that people NEED you, and you need them. Fast forward to 2021 and we find the importance of first contact personnel setting the tone for each visit hasn’t changed. In fact, their roles may be more important than ever. Every single client that walks through your door has a worry (or need), … [Read more...]
Best practices for legal and ethical issues with delivering virtual care
The Veterinary Virtual Care Association provides a free resource for veterinary practices considering or implementing virtual care and navigating legal and ethical considerations. The free resource covers topics like: VCPRs Licensing Medical Record Keeping Malpractice Insurance Client Communication Prescribing Source: VVCA, June 2020. … [Read more...]
Veterinarian shortage or not, many pet owners dislike waiting
Not all U.S. industry leaders agree on whether there are enough veterinarians to meet pet owner demands for care. Still, veterinary positions* are anticipated to grow 16% by 2029, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Veterinarian scarcity or only a perception of one . . . pet owners dislike waiting.” Source: Voice of America (VOA), November 6, 2021. Link. INSIGHTS: … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – November 3, 2021
Last week’s. . . . . . most read post Beef upcycles well. It’s a great story we all can share. Link. . . . AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin - October 28, 2021. Link. Culling moose in Maine to control ticks Source: Wall Street Journal, November 1, 2021. Link to PDF. To save Maine’s moose population from being decimated by ticks, … [Read more...]
60 percent more milk from 30 percent fewer cows
Karen Bohnert shares some of the drivers changing the future of U.S. dairy including areas where cows will be milked in the future. Source: Dairy Herd Management, August 31, 2021. Link. Sponsored Content Our industry’s researchers have investigated all aspects of individual cow health during, ahead of and at the end of milk production. Early detection of infection at … [Read more...]
Cattle rendering, an unsung sustainability success story
Key points from last week’s post, Beef upcycles well Link, are reinforced in this article from Jennifer M. Latzke. Without the rendering industry, America would fill to capacity every one of its landfills in four years just with the offal and other parts of cattle that don’t go into the butcher’s meat case, she writes. This was one key point from a peer-reviewed study … [Read more...]
Paired housing in lieu of group housing
Group housing for dairy calves is not an easy system for all farms to implement. Dairies can still reap the benefits that come from raising calves in social groups by housing two calves together as a pair. I really like pair housing because we get a lot of the advantages of social housing without the detrimental effects of large groups. There is a lot of opportunity to modify … [Read more...]
Offer proper winter ventilation for calves
Calves are constantly producing water vapor as they breathe. At 37°F it is estimated that a calf is producing about 1.25 ounces of water per hour that generates a quart of water per day. The winter focus needs to be on controlling and removing excess moisture produced within the calves’ shelters. Source: The Bullvine, November 1, 2021. Link. Cold temperatures within calf … [Read more...]
Old horses would rather move
Just because a horse is older and might experience chronic pain doesn’t mean he wants to stand around. In a study monitoring how horses budgeted their time, researchers found age and orthopedic pain didn’t deter horses from moving around when given the opportunity. Source: The Horse, September 24, 2021. Link. Environment matters more than age and lameness in older … [Read more...]
Equine eye microbiota assessed for fungi
A look at the eyes of 24 horses and applying advanced genomic sequencing technology have revealed which fungi are most common in healthy eyes and how those microscopic populations differ in pastured horses compared to stalled horses <Link>. The research team determined that the most common fungi in their study horses’ eyes were: Leptosphaerulina, 22.7 percent … [Read more...]
New study suggests vegan pet food as healthful* for dogs and cats as meat
A controversial new research study showed that cats and dogs on a plant-based diet had health outcomes that were as good or better as those pets being fed diets containing meat. *Study leader Dr. Andrew Knight was quick to point out that the results only apply to vegan meals that have been formulated to include added nutrients that ensure that dogs and cats are getting a … [Read more...]
AAHA releases first veterinary guidelines for working, assistance and therapy dogs
The 2021 AAHA Working, Assistance, and Therapy Dog Guidelines are the first comprehensive consensus report to guide veterinary teams who care for: Protection dogs (police, military, security) Odor/scent detection dogs Service dogs for people with diagnosed disabilities or physical limitations Emotional support dogs Therapy dogs Source: AAHA NEWStat, November … [Read more...]
Finalists for Pet Product News’ Annual Editors’ Choice Awards
Here’s a look at the most promising new products in the array being considered for the 2022 Pet Product News’ annual Editors’ Choice Awards. Source: Pet Product News, October 5, 2021. Link. INSIGHTS: There are a lot of new treats in this mix. Consider the importance of managing Kcals since treats are frequently a part of what is fed that contributes to overweight pets … [Read more...]
If you’re cold, they’re cold (video)
It is that time of year to consider the effects of colder weather on animals. Danika Harvey, DVM, says any sick, young or senior animals should be brought indoors when temperatures start to drop to avoid any risks of hypothermia. It’s just the same as if you had a very old person or an infant, you know, they don’t do well in cold temperatures and our animals at our ages don’t … [Read more...]
The secret to hiring customer service employees
A great customer experience depends on great employees, says Micah Solomon. The secret is to hire your customer-facing team based on psychological traits, in addition to thinking about the specific skill set you’re looking for. Solomon shares five key traits using the acronym W.E.T.C.O.: Warmth Empathy Teamwork Conscientiousness Optimism Source: Forbes, … [Read more...]
Leadership word of the day: DISAPPOINTED
Eventually, we all get upset or angry. Loosing our cool is simply not effective when dealing with employees or with recalcitrant clients. The key is to convey these feelings of discontent in ways that will evoke an emotional reaction, capture attention and heighten the immediate pressures of reality. But it’s essential to evoke the right response because not just any feelings … [Read more...]
Know and share the signs, risk of EHD in deer and livestock
We’re posting this because deer seasons have opened around the country. Please consider sharing it with local media to encourage hunters and livestock producers to be on the lookout for deer, particularly whitetail deer, and livestock exhibiting symptoms. EHD is a reportable disease in North Dakota where drought has caused many producers to relocate their cattle. The virus … [Read more...]
For decisions, build bridges, not tunnels
Buying decisions aren’t made in vacuums. They are made by buying communities. says Colleen Francis. And we ALL are in the relationship-building business. While Francis focuses on sales, this guidance is important for any decision process that affects multiple stakeholders. Source: Engage Selling, October 29, 2021. Link. Stakeholders come in many forms and not all of them … [Read more...]
Cost of veterinary care concerns consistent among generations
Includes Sponsored Content Addressing concerns about the affordability of veterinary care runs high among pet owners of all generations, according to data presented in VetWatch™: For emergency services, 42 percent of vet clients are strongly concerned, 32 percent are somewhat concerned. For routine healthcare, 33 percent are strongly concerned, 35 percent are … [Read more...]
Stay safe when pumping manure
Sometimes before harvest is completely finished, manure slurries get pumped and put on fields already harvested. It is an important part of the pork industry's sustainability story but handling manure is inherently risky. Ted Funk shares 10 tips to control the risks to employees, manure handling contractors and avoid the potential to transfer diseases to … [Read more...]
Get BQA certified, assure customers of quality beef
Consumers trust beef producers more when they get BQA (Beef Quality Assurance) certified, which can be done online or in person in some states. Funded by NCBA, the program teaches techniques of sound animal care and resource management. BQA training certifies producers’ commitments to do things right when it comes to injections, pest protection, resource management and overall … [Read more...]
Behaviors that indicate equine lameness
There’s a relatively new tool for identifying subtle signs of musculoskeletal pain in horses, shares Christine Barakat. The Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram is a compilation of 24 behaviors, such as “head tilting,” “tail swishing” and “spontaneous changes of gait” that have been proven to correlate with musculoskeletal pain. If a horse exhibits eight or more of the behaviors, chances … [Read more...]
Why dogs like your head and hair
Pet owners often ask why their dog licks their head, hair and so on. Petya Natrcheva shares nine reasons they act this way. Dog owners will appreciate this list if you share it on social media or in newsletters. Source: Dogs and Clogs. Link. Your dog licks your hair on your head because that’s how they show affection, or they like the taste of your skin, want to groom you, … [Read more...]
Viruses are the villains and heroes of life as we know it
Bacteriophages are viruses known to infect bacteria and keep bacterial populations in check. Their ability to selectively kill bacteria also has medical doctors excited. Natural and engineered phages have been successfully used to treat bacterial infections that do not respond to antibiotics. Ivan Erill, PhD, discusses how virulent and temperate phages work, invade and … [Read more...]