Opinion If you’ve not read this recent account of rabies exposures, please do so. We still have gaps in rabies management and prevention. . . . only 39 states mandate rabies vaccination for dogs; 11 states have no statewide legal requirement for rabies vaccination of any species. Feline rabies vaccination is required in 34 states, and vaccination of ferrets is required in … [Read more...]
Communication is key
Remote, in-person or some combination of both, the pandemic has taught us a valuable lesson about the importance of timely, honest, and effective communication. Source: Gallup, June 28, 2021. Link. The Gallup study on the effect of communication in organizations also found that employees who work in an environment where communication is open, timely and accurate are more … [Read more...]
Employees blamed for a problem created by employers
Peter Cappelli asserts it is time for a sharp realization by the human resources profession. He says employers are trying to hire a lot of people to fill their earlier layoffs, and they struggle to hire the people with the skills and experience they want fast enough at the wages they want to pay. That is not a labor shortage. Cappelli believes there are just under 22 million … [Read more...]
Back to school, but with unprecedented challenges (podcast)
LaVerne Evans Srinivasan joins Mohamed Younis to discuss the barriers students and parents face when going back to school and the resources they can seek. Despite differences in the quality of educational opportunities, this is a unique moment where this disruption hit everyone. Pandemic recovery challenges will affect students in employee and client families alike." Source: … [Read more...]
Flies: Nature’s nuisance, costly pests
Just 200 horn flies start to hurt cattle production. It is not unusual to find 3,000 flies per cow, writes Curt Arens. Fly prevention is one of the basic animal stewardship practices. Horn flies can suck as much as a gallon of blood per month per cow. Face flies feed on proteins from the eyes often becoming vectors for pinkeye. Stable flies are just a plain nuisance. They feed … [Read more...]
PRRS defense from the gut
Last week we shared a status update on porcine circovirus type 2 commonly considered to be subclinical. It is also seen as a co-infection with porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome. For both viruses, first and second line defense strategies are the same; biosecurity and vaccination. Researchers are now investigating how to influence the microbiome as a new defense … [Read more...]
Decision: Creep feed calves or not?
Discussing benefits versus the returns from creep feeding calves, David Lalman, PhD, says in most cases, the value of added weight gain will not cover the added feed, labor and equipment costs. Calf weaning weights can be increased anywhere from about 20 to 80 pounds by creep feeding, but for the most part don’t generate additional returns. Lalman also shared creep feeding … [Read more...]
Travel takes a toll on horses
Did you ever try to stand up in a pickup bed or wagon while going across a field or pasture? If so, you have a concept of what horses go through when being trailered. Christine Barakat and Melinda Freckleton, DVM, share thoughts about traveling with horses. A tired horse is more likely to be injured in a trailer as he struggles to stay on his feet, and fatigue can lower his … [Read more...]
Use caution when feeding cats and giving them treats
Once upon a time cats weren’t fat. This statement is true for nearly 100 percent of kittens the day they were born. After that, what we feed them or provide as treats influences how fat they get. Educating cat owners on how much to feed and treat management is needed to keep cats lithe and healthy. Probably 50 percent of cats seen at veterinary clinics these days are … [Read more...]
Puppy pyrexia
Shawn Kearns, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM), shares results from a study evaluating the diagnosis, or presumed diagnosis, in a cohort of pyretic juvenile dogs. A minimum database for patients presented with fever should include a CBC, serum chemistry profile, diagnostic imaging, and infectious disease testing.” Source: Clinician’s Brief, July 2019. Link. Key pearls to put into … [Read more...]
CBD pet products popularity continues to grow
Cannabidiol and hemp are fast-growing trends in the pet space: Consumers spent US$426 million on pet CBD in 2020 The segment is expected to reach US$629 million in sales by the end of 2021 The most common uses for these ingredients are functional, with calming, stress/anxiety and hip/joint relief at the top of the list according to a Brightfield Group … [Read more...]
5 steps to create a pet fire safety plan
Pets get harmed or affected by house fires each year. In addition to having a pet first aid kit, these five steps can help pet owners be prepared in case of fire. Take basic safety precautions Prevent pets from starting a fire Protect pets when left alone Plan escape routes Arrange for a place to stay Source: ASPCA Pet Insurance. Link. Also see: Pet … [Read more...]
Speaking of Pets – a worthwhile resource
It’s a challenge filling e-newsletter, blog and website content. Enter Speaking of Pets, a 2-minute podcast from NPR and Alabama Public Radio. Host Mindy Morton covers everything under the sun in short, easily usable pieces. Source: NPR, Speaking of Pets, Link. Speaking of Pets with Mindy Norton is for people who care about pets and about humane treatment for animals in … [Read more...]
Spotify’s pet playlists for music that owners and pets will love
Complimentary One of the more popular Spotify playlists is the Pet Playlist. Based on musicology research and a pet-focused survey Spotify conducted, the Pet Playlist generates a list of songs you'll enjoy. Plus, your pet might, too. Source: Insider, via IBPSA Fast Bites, July 19, 2021. Link. The playlist's songs are picked according to what kind of pet you have and their … [Read more...]
Vets DO IT on the phone – Chatfields chat with Aaron Smiley, DVM
Dr. Jen the vet and Dr. Jason Chatfield are joined by Dr. Aaron Smiley to find out what is and isn't legitimate telemedicine. Smiley is one of the founders of the Veterinary Virtual Care Association and a champion of monetizing virtual care interactions. Telemedicine is not new. . . 140 years and going strong. What’s new is the expansion in technologies.” – Aaron Smiley, … [Read more...]
Chatfields seek People’s Choice Podcast Award nominations
Opinion, Complimentary Twin veterinarians Jen and Jason Chatfield hosted the top veterinary podcast in 2020. It was the first-ever veterinary podcast to be a finalist for the People’s Choice Podcast Awards (Science and Medicine). In 2021, the veterinarians launched a new podcast, Chats with the Chatfields. They are seeking nomination support for the 2021 People's Choice … [Read more...]
5 ways your workplace isn’t accommodating to fat people
The Centers for Disease Control estimate that 42.4 percent of the American public was obese, and 73.6 percent was overweight in 2017-2018. Being inclusive in a way that recognizes large people requires re-thinking how we think about thin and not-so-thin people*. Workplace culture comes from our larger culture, which certainly has a hierarchy around weight. Thinner people are … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – July 15, 2021
Last week’s most read post Society ignores low-probability events that have far-reaching consequences, Source: Animal Health Digest, July 7, 2021. Link. Become the boss of your emotions Source: Healthline, April 28, 2020. Link. The ability to experience and express emotions is more important than you might realize. The felt response to a given situation, … [Read more...]
Cattle save premature babies
A lot of useful products come from cattle beyond the beef. By far one of the most amazing is that their pulmonary surfactant is used to save premature infants lives. Everything but the Moo is collected at slaughter - nothing is wasted” Source: Farmer Girl, Facebook, July 12, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Who, what, when where and why of calcium supplementation
Complimentary Sponsored Content Calving sets off a series of events in a cow’s body that impacts her entire system, including a steep spike in calcium demand due to colostrum production. Most second- and greater-lactation cows cannot maintain adequate calcium levels after calving, which often triggers clinical hypocalcemia, commonly known as milk fever, or subclinical … [Read more...]
The facts about bovine leukemia virus
Bovine leukemia virus is an “oncogenic retrovirus” common in cattle throughout the U.S. Cattle infected with BLV have the disease known to veterinarians as enzootic bovine leukosis or EBL, but it is most often referred to as leukosis. Michelle Arnold, DVM DABVP, says BLV indirectly allows other disease conditions to flourish, and until recently, recognition of its importance … [Read more...]
Porcine circovirus type 2; where do we stand?
First seen in the 1990s in swine, PCV2 has been observed to be involved in a wide variety of clinical presentations. Thirty years later with millions of dollars lost by producers and millions spent chasing this virus, it is still a conundrum. The most common form of the disease is considered to be subclinical, write the authors. The evolution of the virus has followed a … [Read more...]
How to recognize signs of heat stroke in horses
When outside temperature + relative humidity = <130, most horses can keep their body cool, with the exception of very fat or very muscular horses. When outside temperature + relative humidity = >150 or above, it's hard for a horse to keep cool because their ability to sweat is compromised — especially if the humidity contributes over half of the 150. Source: AAEP, … [Read more...]
Practical backyard chicken advice during a virtual visit to the farm
The number of backyard poultry flocks continues to grow. New owners need practical advice. In this episode of The Takeaway, guest host Melissa Harris-Perry has a discussion about backyard poultry basics with Emily Shoop, a PennState Extension educator who specializes in backyard poultry, as well as gamebirds. Source: The Takeaway, Rebroadcast: USDA plans to pay debt relief … [Read more...]
6 questions that are effective for identifying cats with feline arthritis pain
The lack of recognition of arthritis pain in cats is severe enough that by one estimate, less than one percent of cats with arthritis pain are seen by veterinarians. Researchers came up with a six-question, one-minute survey with simple “yes” or “no” answers for cat owners to see if their cat might have arthritis and decide if the pet needs to see a veterinarian. Source: … [Read more...]
Teach stationing for better dog control
“Go to your place,” “stand in front of me,” and using platforms are favorites with pro dog trainers. Karen B. London, PhD, shares why dog owners should add them to their training to-do list. Source: The Bark, January 2021. Link. Being able to send a dog to a place to relax and have that “place” be flexible offers a lot of options to make life simple and easy in a variety of … [Read more...]
Does that dog need help?
Every dog handles heat differently. Those not properly conditioned could show signs faster than those that are fit and in good shape. A dog’s drive may override his ability to know he’s overheating . . . it’s up to every owner and handler to keep their dogs safe.” Source: Gray’s Sporting Journal, June 30, 2021. Link. When a dog’s activity causes his body to generate more heat … [Read more...]
The hurrier we go . . .
Sponsored Content Humans tend to become lazy, especially with repetitive tasks. We dislike wasting time on things that are unnecessary or monotonous. Add busy schedules operating at full capacity and even the most structured protocols lapse. The hurrier we go . . . the behinder we get!” – Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland The news of the emerging Delta coronavirus … [Read more...]
The real effect of ghosting someone (video)
Learning to have difficult conversations requires skills that need to be developed and honed not only for your benefit, but also to protect those around you.”- Simon Sinek Sinek talks about ghosting in personal relationships. His assertions also relate to how frequently we leave people hanging as job candidates, on internal inquiries and even client follow-up. If you like … [Read more...]
Emotional intelligence and recognition
With all the challenges faced by leaders in today’s rapidly changing workplace, the idea of building emotional intelligence can seem overwhelming. Here is one simple idea that can jump start your efforts. Source: Fast Company, June 29, 2021. Link. One way that leaders increase their awareness of what their people are doing well is to spend more time working with … [Read more...]