Tired of getting bit up on an evening walk or working in the yard? New research proves mosquitos can pick you out in a crowd. Connie Chang shares research on the odors they’re drawn to, what scientists recommend to keep them away and how a future personalized repellant might work. . . . even in complex situations with multiple sources of odor, mosquitoes do seem to prefer some … [Read more...]
Horses, dogs and cats can transfer poison ivy’s urushiol oil to humans
Poison ivy is somewhat ubiquitous across the U.S. While our companion animals are not sensitive to it they can transfer the urushiol oil that causes a red, itchy rash from the plant to humans. Emily Fought also reminds readers that burning killed plants is even more dangerous. Source: COWGIRL, June 23, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Rest is NOT a waste of time
Rest is an elusive need that many of us have trouble making time for, despite how badly we need it. Source: Repertoire, May 2024. Link. With the busyness of our work schedules and daily lives constantly compounding, it’s important to build time to unplug from our phones and calendars to recharge and reset. You will be better at whatever role you have by simply taking time … [Read more...]
Exploring holistic care remedies and therapies for common dog ailments
If for no other reason than to answer animal owner inquiries, we recommend veterinary teams review the information in the article linked below. Anderson Cox covers acupuncture to essential oils and more. Exploring natural remedies and therapies for common dog ailments is not a trend, rather a shift towards a more balanced, whole approach to canine health, Cox says. He … [Read more...]
Biosecurity compliance research shows motivation is not the problem
Commentary An exploratory study conducted to establish a baseline for worker motivation and to identify the primary factors that could be affecting biosecurity compliance in swine operations showed motivation is not the problem. Biosecurity compliance is influenced by job resources, availability of performance feedback and rewards. The preliminary study discoveries should … [Read more...]
NAVC and MFA seek to chart new course, define future animal health and pet care
The North American Veterinary Community and the Michelson Found Animals Foundation announced a partnership that will engage industry leaders and visionaries within and outside of the animal health and pet care sectors to define the future of animal health and wellbeing. The first event will form under the Compass brand and bring together industry leaders and mavericks from … [Read more...]
Adopt a Pet, Zoetis announce 1st round of 2024 Shelter Grant recipients
Adopt a Pet and Zoetis have named the inaugural group of animal welfare organizations selected as recipients of the 2024 Zoetis petcare product grant. Each grant recipient will receive flea, tick, and heartworm disease prevention for cats and dogs, along with core vaccines and antibiotics needed to support healthy shelter pets in their care. Source: Zoetis, June 5, … [Read more...]
Cheese now drives dairy growth
Consumption of dairy products has reached an all-time high driven by the consumption of cheese products worldwide. The size of the world cheese market is anticipated to grow by $39.1 billion by 2027. Dairy is not declining; dairy is growing. We’re simply eating more of our dairy than we’re drinking.” - Michael Dykes Source: STgenetics, June 12, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
The average dairy cow is still growing
There is a vital need for reevaluation of current feeding and grouping strategies, writes Alvaro Garcia. Separating first-lactation cows from older ones in dairy barn settings serves several critical purposes including tailored management, particularly in nutrition. The herd’s social dynamics often significantly impact younger cows. With most cows spending a limited time on … [Read more...]
Make cows earn their living
Running a cow-calf operation costs money, a lot of money. Understanding more about the details of the costs producers incur may help veterinary teams and suppliers reposition their value and likewise support producer profitability. Elizabeth Hodges shares the different economic categories Aaron Berger shared with young farmers and ranchers. Commentary Although one might … [Read more...]
Rethinking mid-lactation milk fever
The causes of mid-lactation milk fever are different than calcium milk fever in fresh cows, which makes the term somewhat misleading. Mid-lactation milk fever often occurs in multiparous, high-producing cows that had no problem in previous milkings. The authors explain the need to focus on hypomagnesemia noting nutritional and inflammatory challenges that may lead to … [Read more...]
Sweaty cattle may boost food security in a warming world
Unless we’re doing something to affect the ability of our cattle to thrive in heat stress conditions, they are not going to reproduce, so there’s a food security concern to consider, asserts Raluca Mateescu, PhD. Her team’s research shows it is possible to identify the genes within breeds of cattle that would lead to the sweatiest, heat-tolerant offspring Source: BEEF, June … [Read more...]
All the eggs are brown . . . there’ll be lots of eggs today
Apologies to the Mamas and Papas for the lyrical title <Link> but the sky won’t be gray if the flock has these 15 breeds of chickens that lay brown eggs. They consistently appear on best egg layer lists and can be the backbone of a productive backyard flock, many laying more than 200 eggs per year, writes Pam Freeman. Source: Backyard Poultry, October 24, 2022. … [Read more...]
6 myths about cooling horses in hot weather
Not all horses cool down the same due to variable thermal responses, writes Tanja Bornmann. She addresses heat illness and dispels beliefs horse owners may have about hosing down horses, wiping the water away, humidity and more. Consider sharing this with horse owners on social media and in newsletters. Include your own comments, too. A few seconds to send a post might save a … [Read more...]
10 tips to keep your dog calm during fireworks
Independence Day celebrations will be here soon. As usual, some will start early and run late. The American Kennel Club offers 10 tips to calm dogs in this video with Kathy Santo, master trainer. Source: American Kennel Club, May 22, 2024. Link. (Includes video) Here are three of 10 expert-approved tips to keep dogs safe during fireworks and other loud situations. Keep … [Read more...]
Some believe pricey kidney transplants for cats are worth it
Chronic kidney disease is one of the more common diseases in aging cats and a leading cause of their deaths. Like humans, cats have two kidneys and can live with one provided it is healthy. Kidney transplants, costing up to $25,000, are an option for cats that meet transplant criteria. Owners and surgeons agree the process can be worth it. Source: The Washington Post, June … [Read more...]
Human-animal bond: Dolly Parton on Captain Kangaroo (reel)
Animal health pros promote and witness the human-animal bond as part of daily life. We’re sharing a link to a reel highlighting that the human-animal bond was being celebrated 48 years ago. In a 1976 appearance on TV’s Captain Kangaroo Dolly Parton sang a song she wrote about her dog, Cracker Jack. Enjoy! Source: Our American Stories with Lee Habeeb, Facebook. Link. … [Read more...]
Get back to helping pets and their people
Sponsored Commercial Content Veterinarians explain how they use Talkatoo in their practices, saving time and energy and streamlining workflow. Shawn Wilkie shares how Talkatoo is revolutionizing veterinary practices with Auto-SOAP generator, dictation and AI Assistant. Talkatoo allows me several ways to get information inside my brain out into the world.” – Michelle Scott, … [Read more...]
Cat acne: causes, signs, treatment
A Google search of cat acne yields myriad options to learn about the common follicular keratinization that appears as tiny black open comedones along the chin and lips as if the cat had rubbed its chin in dirt or food. Cats generally develop acne when their hair follicles become blocked by an overproduction of keratin, writes Sarah Psaradelis. She shares information for cat … [Read more...]
Raw dog food, the big questions
Includes Commercial References Questions mount as the popularity of raw diets grows. Andrew Dickens posed some key questions to We Feed Raw’s Amy Zalneraitis. The article reveals how perception, processing and handling affect the quality and safety of commercially produced raw diets. Source: Dog Food Advisor, February 23, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: Summer temperatures … [Read more...]
Best life jackets, vests for dogs
Includes Commercial Content Water safety experts recommend owners who take their dogs near water or boating invest in a dog life jacket to ensure buoyancy for those that swim and for those that don’t. The authors review top-ranked canine floatation devices. Source: AKC Retrievist. Link. Photo by Matt Seymour on Unsplash … [Read more...]
6 foods we eat that can kill dogs
Big John turned his back away from the grill’s side table briefly to answer a question from a guest. In a flash, the guest’s dog went grill-surfing, grabbing a sizeable chunk of garlic-infused and onion powder-dressed roast. Now, a nice dinner was missing, and there was a chance the dog might get ill. Despite those big brown begging eyes, we have to be careful with these six … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – June 17, 2024
Fusing science and affection*, motion needed in websites, engagement culture, 82 percent of HR pros believe pets help mental health, connecting brand and demand**, and more. * Scritches used in this context refers to a scratching motion versus a harsh sound. Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, June 17, 2024. Link. Note the NEW IBPSA Master Business Academy, a cutting-edge program … [Read more...]
Undoing cynicism at work
The rise of cynicism is making many of us miserable at our jobs. Only 15 percent of workers say they are thriving, with the rest saying they are indifferent or downright miserable at work. Source: AXIOS, June 11, 2024. Link. Cynicism, if it were a pill, would really be a poison." - Jamil Zaki, PhD INSIGHT: Start by fixing your own cynicism. … [Read more...]
June heat wave enveloping the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast
A hot day or two is normal, but the National Weather Service says a near-record strong heat dome will bring record-breaking high temperatures and sultry, uncomfortable nights during the next two weeks. The inherent risks to people are no surprise especially when temperatures remain high during the night. For animal health pros, reminding animal owners to keep their animals … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – June 13, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, June 6, 2024. Link. Most read post(s) from the June 6th AHD Bulletin – Attitude, value, and talent. Link. What stool color could say about a dog’s health. Link. Do hay preservatives matter to horses? Link. ===================================== Summer hours. A way for small business owners to boost … [Read more...]
Brakke study shows pet owners not always aware of e-retail options
The recent Pet Medicines Home Delivery Study by Brakke Consulting uncovered notable e-retail trends for pet products, writes Joseph Harvey. It revealed home delivery is directly linked to improved compliance, but clients need to know about the service. Many US veterinary practices are well positioned to supply customers in an online capacity through home delivery and autoship … [Read more...]
Mella Pet Care, Vetspire integrating real-time vitals data to PiMS
A new partnership between Mella Pet Care and Vetspire PiMS will automatically capture vital signs from Mella hardware. Using their existing workflows, veterinarians can integrate with the Mella Pet Care Desktop App to instantly collect vital signs from Mella devices. Source: Mella Pet Care, June 11, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Clear The Shelters celebrates 10 years
Celebrating 10 years and more than one million adoptions, Clear the Shelters is recruiting veterinary clinic participation to fulfill its mission. Sign up to receive a supporter kit including access to the social media toolbox and improve pet adoption. Source: Hill’s Pet Nutrition. Link. … [Read more...]
Testing mature bulls for trich – what’s important?
Despite his genetics, body condition and herd sire desirability, a mature bull with trichomoniasis can devastate the finest breeding program. Trich is a venereal disease that causes infertility, open cows and occasional abortions in cows and heifers. The only way to identify infected bulls is to perform preputial scraping and diagnostic testing to identify the presence of the … [Read more...]