Covid-19 fatigue is manifesting in an alarming number of people shrugging off safety measures and consuming less news about the pandemic, according to a new Harris Poll conducted exclusively for Fast Company. 27 percent of Americans say they’re less likely to engage in certain safety precautions than they were six months ago, curtailing things like frequent handwashing, … [Read more...]
6 tips to identify calves susceptible to BRD
John Richeson typifies BRD as the most difficult mammalian diseases to manage in the world. He shared a more focused approach to managing feeder cattle risk and six things feeders can look for to identify high-risk calves. Targeted metaphylaxis is using certain metrics to try to predict whether an animal is going to be at greater risk for BRD, so we can make individual animal … [Read more...]
75 days to prep for calving
Say what?! It’s time to plan for calving season as the first of the 2021 crop will start dropping around March 1. Greg Henderson provides tips to help producers prepare: Assess the body condition of your cows and heifers Review the herd health plan Conduct an inspection of your calving facilities to make sure everything is in working order Check your calving … [Read more...]
Honey, I shrunk the goat
When considering a backyard pet, a manageable 4-H project for a child, or smaller livestock for a homestead or hobby farm, consider these small goat breeds. Theresa Miller offers a concise catalogue of compact caprines. Source: Backyard Goats, October 9, 2020. Link. … [Read more...]
Chip your pet, dammit!
King, a Chihuahua mix, disappeared from his San Antonio, Texas, home in 2014. Owner Debi Vazquez searched high and low and found no trace of him. This October, she got a call from the Broward County Humane Society in in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Animal health pros there found King, thanks to his microchip. Source: New York Post, November 5, 2020. Link. “It took nearly 23 … [Read more...]
Lyme disease ticks produce antibiotic that protects them from human skin bacteria
Vet Candy shares new research findings that help answer some questions about Ixodes scapularis, the deer tick. Puzzled by the ticks’ immune system, which keeps them safe from contracting pathogens themselves, a research team led by Univerisity of California’s San Francisco's Seemay Chou identified a natural pathogen of ticks and established a mechanism for it. “Ticks pass … [Read more...]
BBB: Fraudsters are taking advantage of the pandemic puppy trend
The Better Business Bureau indicates pet fraud reports are five times higher in 2020 than in 2017. People between the ages of 35 and 55 represented half of the fraud reported to the BBB in 2020. Source: Daily Paws, December 8, 2020. Link. According to the BBB Scam Tracker, the financial losses are astronomical as well: the average individual amount lost is $750, with the … [Read more...]
Take care of dogs during winter
Winter’s weather increase the risk for dogs to experience hypothermia and frostbite just as we do. Different breeds tolerate winter better than others, but age and overall health are important factors, too. Snow and ice can cause problems for some dogs. However, ice melts on pavement and sidewalks have own toxicity issues. Here are three resources to help address winter safety … [Read more...]
Signs and treatment of dog tooth infections
John Huff, DVM, FAVD, Dipl. AVDC, shares his perspectives on dog tooth infections, what causes them and things for owners to watch for. He names chewing on objects that are too hard for your dog’s teeth, which could be common dog-chew items like tennis balls, deer antlers, pig’s ears and rawhide as common culprits that can cause teeth to break and become susceptible to … [Read more...]
RFD-TV celebrates 20th anniversary (includes video)
Complimentary commercial content Founder Patrick Gosch’s conviction from 20 years ago is certainly as true today as ever. He set out to connect city and country for with rural programming that was being ignored by urban broadcasters. Today, Rural Media Group is the world’s leading provider of multimedia content dedicated to the rural and Western lifestyle. RFD TV is … [Read more...]
MaxiGuard® Oral Cleansing Wipes now available in 10 packs
Sponsored Commercial Content Responding to requests from veterinary clinics, Addison Biological Laboratories announced a new package size for the popular MaxiGuard® Oral Cleansing Wipes. The 10 packs are packaged in a convenient foil pouch < link >. Source: Addison Biological Laboratories, December 14, 2020. Link. There has been consistent, strong demand from … [Read more...]
Building trust in the emergency setting
Trust is pivotal in the emergency setting writes Monica Sterk, DVM. Normally not the primary veterinarian, emergency teams must quickly gain the client’s trust, so they can make difficult decisions based on the findings and guidance in the moment. Sterk shares simple building blocks that lead to a successful relationship during an emergency visit. Source: DVM 360, … [Read more...]
2020 e-commerce surge carried pet food along for the ride
“One of the driving factors behind the e-commerce growth trends for pet food was the growth of millennial pet owners who were preconditioned to online shopping. The pandemic has taken this storyline and put it on steroids,” according to Tom Elliott citing a new report from Capstone Headwaters. In a related discussion, Fritz Wood, CPA and Vertical Vet's Dr. Ernie Ward … [Read more...]
VVCA unveils Veterinary Telemedicine Regulatory Map
Mark Cushing, JD, and Ali McIntyre, executive director of VVCA, share work done with the Animal Policy Group research team that helped create the most definitive, comprehensive and accurate state-by-state map of all laws and regulations, including COVID guidance from governors, about telemedicine or virtual care. <the map> is a living, breathing tool . . . not just for … [Read more...]
Opportunities, optimism for veterinary hospitals into 2021
Complimentary content from IDEXX Jay Mazelsky, president and CEO at IDEXX, recently shared his thanks and optimism in a LinkedIn post citing important trends from his company’s data insights. “Veterinary hospitals are providing more care for pets,” he said. A recent IDEXX study showed 77 percent of pet owners agreed that taking care of their pet’s health is as important as … [Read more...]
Telemedicine platforms expanding reach to animal owners
Complimentary Commercial Content The rush to meet pet owners in the cloud and expand veterinary virtual care has two new advances this week according to company press releases. whiskerDocs announced they will start telemedicine in four states beginning January 1. VCPR will be established virtually. FirstVet, brings on-demand telehealth to American animal owners’ … [Read more...]
Apathy or pandemic burnout?
Nearly everyone is suffering from mental fatigue right now, says psychologist Yvonne Thomas. She shares some of the key signs of mental fatigue: You’re inefficient You don’t feel compassion for others You’re procrastinating more than ever You’re struggling with sleep and appetite Thomas also shares some coping methods: Create countdown strategies … [Read more...]
So long, BEEF, Feedstuffs and National Hog Farmer. “It’s been a heckuva ride.”
BEEF, Feedstuffs and National Hog Farmer will suspend print publications with January 2021 issues. Some digital presence of each will remain. We’ve shared plenty of their articles and web postings since Animal Health Digest began and their contributions are appreciated. Source: BEEF, November 25, 2020. Link. By suspend, they mean that BEEF print, along with the print … [Read more...]
National Pork Board launches AgView to respond to disease outbreaks
The National Pork Board launched AgView, a tool to help the pork industry respond quickly to a foreign animal disease outbreak. The voluntary system is designed to enable producers to input premise identification data, diagnostic data and pig movement data for pig contract tracing in the event of a disease outbreak. Source: The Pig Site, November 11, 2020. Link. “AgView is … [Read more...]
Animal welfare through an animal activist’s eyes
Dairy farmers met an activist during a recent Dairy Cattle Welfare Council webinar. Taylor Leach reports on the discussion, including the biggest three concerns from activists’ point of view: Individual calf housing Tie-stall barns Bull calf treatment Source: Dairy Herd Management, December 2, 2020. Link. Being aware of what animal welfare is – that it’s going … [Read more...]
The never-ending parasite dilemma
John Gillam, DVM, discusses parasites in ungulates including types, life cycles, treatments, testing and slowing down resistance. . . . understanding parasite treatment and the worms that can plague cattle is critical to developing healthy herds.” - John Gilliam, DVM Source: High Plains Journal, December 2, 2020. Link. “We actually select those parasite populations for … [Read more...]
Role of veterinarians, nutritionists changing on dairies
University of Kentucky Extension professionals say the role of veterinarians in the dairy industry is everchanging. The size and sophistication of dairies has reduced the hands-on need for exams and treatments. Now veterinarians play an intrinsic role in establishing protocols, especially as they relate to treatments with antibiotics, pain management and training farm employees … [Read more...]
Manna Pro Products launches “YolkTube” YouTube channel for chicken aficionados
Manna Pro Products launched “YolkTube by City Folks,” a YouTube series that helps teach first-time and established chicken owners basic and advanced care for chickens in backyard poultry setups. The channel is Manna Pro’s latest resource to expand its community of urban and suburban chicken owners can connect and share tips. Source: AgriMarketing, December 8, 2020. Link. … [Read more...]
Preparations now will ease winter on chicken flocks
Shelby Stone shares tips on winterizing coops and preparing chickens for colder months. Her guidance covers bedding, heated waterers, care with heat lamps and updating diets. Note the tip for protecting combs and waddles using a coating of Vaseline. Source: Acreage Life, November 2020, page 23. Link. INSIGHTS: Chicken keepers will appreciate getting this article from … [Read more...]
Barn cats need care, too
Sarah Peakheart, DVM, shares tips for caring for barn cats. Her recommendations are especially applicable to cats who are easily handled. Tips related to improving the cats’ environment and safety are also beneficial, even for cats that are more feral. Source: The Bullvine, November 16, 2020. Link. Make plenty of noise before starting up your vehicles or farm equipment, … [Read more...]
Tail pull injuries and recovery in cats
Tail-pull injuries are relatively common in cats and present as a limp, sometimes painful, tail. Jonathan Miller, DVM, MS, DACVS, reviews a recent paper discussing the return of urinary and defecatory function in cats with sacrocaudal luxation. Despite nerve dysfunction commonly being noted at the time of injury, most cats regained function with time.” Source: Clinician’s … [Read more...]
50% of dog owners believe their pets have separation anxiety
Commentary To most animal health pros, study results revealed in People will come as no surprise. If anything, the WFH months has increased visibility to issues many pets were already experiencing and now owners want to address the issues. Results from the survey found that 53 percent of dog owners overall and 60 percent of hybrid workers believe that their dogs has … [Read more...]
Not all scents safely make sense
The holiday season brings new visual stimuli to our environments. It also is commonly accompanied by a variety of seasonal smells in diffusors, candles and sprays. Some of these are toxic to pets. Source: Catnip, November 19, 2020. Link. Common essential oils that could prove toxic in the wrong dose include: Tea tree, citrus, pine, pennyroyal, eucalyptus, peppermint, sweet … [Read more...]
Dr. Jen’s top 5 holiday dangers for pets
Jenifer Chatfield, DVM, and twin brother Jason Chatfield, DVM, discuss holiday dangers for pets in a new edition of Is this a Thing? They discuss these top 5 holiday dangers: Out of town guests; people and their pets Holiday decorations; tinsel, ornaments and seasonal plants Holiday travel; microchipping and registration reminders Holiday foods Weather … [Read more...]
Discuss treatment plans to avoid surprises
Emily Shiver, practice manager, CVPM, CCFP, shares proven tips to help present treatment plans and their financial components. Note the physical alignment, transparency, empathy, outcomes and acknowledgement elements she highlights. Presenting treatment plans with empathy and compassion helps to eliminate some of the stress of this delicate discussion. It also potentially … [Read more...]