The author shares things we can choose to do regularly to help improve our social skills. Using these five habits help us stand out and more effectively build meaningful relationships: Focus on self-disclosure Let go of your instinct to judge Be fully present Eye contact is one of your best tools, even if it is uncomfortable Use the sweetest sound – their … [Read more...]
VVCA in virtual care driver’s seat
Complimentary content The Mark Five: Policy Off Leash series continues with the third and fourth editions. In the third edition, Mark Cushing, JD, shares critical information about how the FDA views telemedicine. The discussion focuses on off-label prescriptions and traditional VCPR in the FDA regulations. The FDA rule is limited to extra-label drug prescriptions and was … [Read more...]
Carriers driving early Black Friday offers
Commentary The pandemic has changed Black Friday forever. Surcharges announced in August by the largest shippers are the penalty for not selling out early. The pandemic has caused shippers to fully reassess their supply chain strategy and their carrier mix. One way that delivery services hope to deal with the holiday crush is to push retailers to ship more packages early … [Read more...]
Comprehensive pet healthcare
Complimentary Content from The team at MWIAH compiled a list of 10 elements that build a solid foundation for animals’ health. It demonstrates the strategic view animal health pros must take to improve the foundation of veterinary medicine and animal health services. . . .core products, services, and companion veterinary expertise work together to give pets longer, … [Read more...]
Drs. Weese and Anderson review Covid-19 in animals
In a series of blog posts, Scott Weese, DVM and Maureen Anderson, DVM review Covid-19 in animals by family. Industry pros are thankful for the efforts being made to help keep Covid-19 in perspective. Thank you Drs. Weese and Anderson!” Source: WormsandGerms Blog. Link. Worms & Germs Blog is an educational website coordinated by Drs. Scott Weese and Maureen Anderson of the … [Read more...]
Scott Weese, DVM, discusses mutating Covid-19 in mink
Weese and others have been forthcoming since January 2020 about the need to approach emerging diseases proactively by looking for potential problems and taking steps to control them early, rather than waiting for definitive evidence of a problem. Now with as many as five strains of Covid-19 virus identified in mink, the early warnings of viral mutation have become reality. How … [Read more...]
Floor resurfacing reminder
Providing confident, non-skid footing for dairy cattle is vital to their health, performance, and well-being and is one of the basic elements required in any dairy housing system. Dan McFarland discusses various surfaces and the importance of stable footing for cows. Source: Dairy Herd Management, May 26, 2020. Link. Reconditioning flooring surfaces cattle use may seem like … [Read more...]
Free water necessary for rumen development
It’s challenging to feed water to young dairy calves in the freezing months of winter, but it’s also highly important. And, the earlier calves get access to free water the better! Milk or milk replacer does not constitute free water, because it bypasses the rumen and reticulum and travels straight to the abomasum via the esophageal groove, which is active in calves until about … [Read more...]
Emerging arboviruses manuscript collection
Collectively, the authors have assembled a manuscript collection to provide scientists up-to-date information on diverse pathogens and their respective insect vectors. It is estimated 60 to 75 percent of emerging infectious diseases in humans are of zoonotic origin. Up to one third of these emerging infectious diseases are caused by vector-borne pathogens, which cause more … [Read more...]
Four reasons to change a horse’s diet
Change for the sake of change is not usually recommended for horse diets. There are occasions where diets should be reexamined and a change in feed may be warranted writes Christine Barakat. She shares these four times*: Change of life stage Change of activity level Change in geographic location Change in health status *We would add change in water sources as a … [Read more...]
Feral cat colonies, catnip and cat training
We found three articles of interest involving cats. The discussion of feral cat colonies while dated may prompt some thinking. While the catnip and training articles are worthy of sharing with cat owners on social media or in newsletters. Take a look . . .then you can decide. Source: How to care for a feral cat colony, Animal Wellness, July 2013. Link. Source: What Does … [Read more...]
Multiple influences affect puppy litter size
No matter how a bitch acts or looks, not even experts can be 100-percent sure about her general fertility and an estimated puppy count. Source: Breeding Business, Link. There are several factors influencing the number of puppies a given female will have in her next litter. These include: The breed Size of the female Coefficient of inbreeding Age of the bitch … [Read more...]
Up to scratch: Topical treatments for skin conditions
When the overnight temperatures drop below 600F, furnaces across the country get turned on. By day 3 of heated air, indoor humidity has often fallen by 20 or more percent signaling a change in skin care needs for ourselves and our pets. Conditions we’ve ignored or accepted during the humid summer months exacerbate. Approximately 10 percent of cats and dogs suffer from some … [Read more...]
Dog park etiquette
Harriet Meyers reminds us that not all dogs are ready for a dog park experience. She discusses the benefits and focuses on readiness including vaccination, safety, environmental concerns and socialization. Her article is a good one for social media and newsletters. Source: AKC, October 7, 2020. Link. Also see: How to safely greet a strange dog, AKC, November 6, 2020. … [Read more...]
Washing livestock trailers with infection control certainty
Sponsored Content Regardless of the pathogens, transporting increases risks for all livestock. Livestock trailers pose a significant risk for pigs, cattle, horses and poultry as they are moved from one location to another. Cleaning with scoops, forced air or pressure washers is as best a first step to controlling pathogen spread from remaining residues before the trailer is … [Read more...]
TIME puts veterinary diversity issues front and center
Melissa Chan’s article is a must-read for all animal health pros. The call to action is clear. Pet owners are diverse, but veterinarians are overwhelmingly white. Veterinarians are projected to be among the most in-demand workers in the next decade. Yet ,pet lovers are faced with a predominantly white world once it’s time to see a vet. Of the more than 104,000 veterinarians … [Read more...]
VVCA Mark Five series: VCPR Changes Since COVID-19
Complimentary Content In this second Mark Five video, Mark Cushing, J.D. covers the complex subject of how Covid affected telemedicine VCPR policies. Fortunately, veterinary medicine was declared essential across all of the United States. Three different types of took actions that affected they did something about telemedicine VCPR policy: 17 states suspended their … [Read more...]
Detecting heat in high production cows
High producing cows exhibit fewer overall standing events, coupled with a high proportion of heat periods classified as short duration and low intensity. This makes the practice of using tail paint rubs less precise. Joseph C Dalton discusses milk production specifically from the many factors that influence mounting and standing activity. Source: Dairy Herd Management, … [Read more...]
The science behind the masks
Despite all the evidence face masks help protect us and others from coronavirus exposure, we occasionally run into doubters. This short animation vividly shows how even a simple mask works to reduce the virus spread. Source: The New York Times, October 30, 2020. Link. The public health debate on masks is settled, said Joseph G. Allen, director of the Health Buildings program … [Read more...]
Researchers discover a second key that makes SARS-CoV-2 so infectious
Researchers believe they have found another way the coronavirus gains entry into our cells. They discovered a receptor called neuropilin-1 gives the novel coronavirus a leg up in infecting our tissues. This particular protein is relatively abundant on cells lining the nasal cavity, making it a piece of cake for the virus to establish a home inside our bodies, raise a virus … [Read more...]
New CDC guidance, 15 minutes of exposure and what it means for you
New guidance from the CDC updates our understanding of the transmission of SARS-Cov-2, the virus that causes Covid-19 and recognizes the ease with which this virus can spread. It suggests that there is more of a dose-response relationship between viral exposure and risk of disease. Which is to say, the more virus you are exposed to, the higher your risk, even if the exposure … [Read more...]
What to do when a teammate shares their grief
It is inevitable that someone in your workplace or network will share a difficult event they go through. Lara Hogan shares the importance of being prepared and setting boundaries to avoid: jumping into problem solving mode turning our response toward ourselves and our similar experiences responding to avoid hurting this person Hogan suggests asking open questions … [Read more...]
Cow Buoy pops up anew (slideshow)
No livestock person is happy about a downed cow. Getting one up is near impossible. Typical of the hands-on work of producers, Roger Swihart remembered and updated the original Cow Buoy creating the Cow Crane. Source: Missouri Ruralist, November 2, 2020. Link. You can see how it operates on the company website <video demonstration> INSIGHTS: Like portable chutes, … [Read more...]
Virtual reality grant to help increase interest in animal welfare
This is great news, but I wonder, “how will the scratch ‘n sniff be deployed”? Joking aside, congratulations to Nicole Anderson for a sizeable grant to use virtual reality to increase student interest and understanding of farm animal welfare. The funds will help develop four virtual reality modules that focus on operating commercial dairy and swine farms. Source: … [Read more...]
Llamas, great for small farms
Llamas, members of the camelid family, are a growing choice of ruralpolitan farmers and small acreage owners due to the animals’ relatively small size compared to horses, ponies or cattle. Their unique digestive system and highly efficient use of forage means llamas require less acreage per animal. They are excellent guardian animals, but require planning and education for good … [Read more...]
Dr. Jen the Vet discusses colic
“Colic is an issue that strikes fear into most horse-loving hearts,” says Jenifer Chatfield, DVM, Dipl. ACZM, Dipl. ACVPM. In this episode of Is this a thing,? she tackles colic as a symptom, behaviors that signal gastro discomfort and some of the ways DVMs help horses and their owners. Source: LinkedIn, October 30, 2020. Link. Find a 3-minute preview video here. Source: … [Read more...]
Suckling behavior in adult cats
Ken Lambrecht, DVM, discusses suckling behaviors in adult cats. There is no known organ-specific disease that cat suckling is related to, he says. However, if it begins fairly spontaneously, it could be a sign of pain or other stress, and the cat could be suckling as a coping strategy. Source: PetMD, August 02, 2018. Link. Cats target anything that resembles mother cat’s … [Read more...]
Help dogs have happy olfactory experiences
Ellen Furlong provides reflection on our dogs’ abilities to care about us and the uniqueness of their sense of smell. She believes dogs might be happier if allowed an occasional “sniffy walk” which lets them lead the way and take as much time to smell as they would like. Hers is a unique perspective that dog owners will appreciate and take to heart. Source: The … [Read more...]
Considerations for breeding a dog
Industry research indicates demand for dogs will continue to increase. Shelter and rescue organizations can’t keep up and provide little support for individual breed development and continuity. The number of breeders is likely to grow with the demand leaving a common question among folks new to breeding. What is the best age to breed a dog?” Source: Breeding Business, March … [Read more...]
Top 10 cities roundworm report
Cities across the U.S. are experiencing increases in roundworm infection. The September Top 10 report emphasizes the need to continue communicating the importance of year-round broad-spectrum protection for pets against roundworms and routine testing, regardless of where pets reside. An increase in roundworm prevalence not only alerts communities to a persistent threat to the … [Read more...]