Giz Asks reached out to experts in canine medicine and behavior to find out. There was not general agreement on the answer, but it appears that a majority of the five DVMs interviewed believe dogs can get headaches. Source: GIZMODO, February 25, 2019. Link. Dogs with brain tumors tend to push their head against walls and furniture as though their head hurts, and anti- … [Read more...]
Petco versus PetSmart: no clear winner in big box dog fight
The pet business is one of retail’s long-term bright spots. But the dynamics of alternate sourcing, internet sales and aggressive competition challenge two of the large big box retailers. Private-equity firms bought America’s two biggest pet-store owners within months of each other. One spent billions to boost its online business by acquiring the top internet pet … [Read more...]
Avoiding cost does not create value in calving date plans
As the cattle market approaches some expansion slowdown <link>, consider options for where and when calves are born. Despite the greatest total cost, June calving provided the lowest unit cost of production and greatest net profit per calf, thanks to greater weaning and carcass weights. Source: BEEF, January 23, 2019. Link. Calving dates and management systems are … [Read more...]
Observe manure to monitor nutritional status
Texas cow-calf consultant Dan Gary recommends using cow-pie-ology, the visual observation of manure, to determine the nutritional status of cattle. (research) shows . . . as manure piles stack up, more protein is needed. That’s because passage rate through the digestive system slows down and instead of a cow pie, there’s a cow stack. Conversely, excess protein results in … [Read more...]
CattleFax predicts slower and more measured pace in 2019
David Cooper shares a summary of the 2019 CattleFax outlook he heard during the 2019 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show. The cattle business cycle will enter a typical slowdown as this year progresses. Kevin Good, CattleFax analyst, explained that weather and profitability drive expansion in the beef industry. Prices for the U.S. will remain relatively … [Read more...]
Goodbye dead wagon, hello composting
Transporting carcasses of livestock mortalities is challenging to biosecurity, air quality and groundwater safety. This calls for new alternatives. Jennifer Shike shares her experience visiting a farm using an aeration composter and shares her thoughts on the science and the importance of the topic. Source: PORK, February 15, 2019. Link. Forced aeration composting is a win … [Read more...]
Avoid poisonous plants for goats
Goats eat everything, right? Apparently not. Knowing what to feed goats involves education. Katherine Drovdahl reviews toxic plants and acknowledges there is not a comprehensive list of toxic or poisonous plants for goats. Even good plants can develop into a dangerous toxic condition called enterotoxemia if goats overeat on any plant they are not used to Source: … [Read more...]
Acute feline urethral obstruction – a quiz
Test your blocked cat management skills with this interactive quiz. After reviewing the case information see how you score on which drugs are appropriate for the patient. Source: Clinician’s Brief, October 2018. Link. INSIGHTS: Quizzes like this are popular with animal health pros. They make great team meeting or lunch topics to reinforce knowledge and discuss choices … [Read more...]
Vaccinating mice may slow Lyme disease
Former veterinarian turned immunologist Mario Gomes-Solecki focused beyond animals susceptible to Lyme. She studied the large population of Borrelia burgdorferi infected white-footed mice and on reducing the number of ticks that become carrier after biting a mouse. Roughly half of ticks carrying Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, pick it up by … [Read more...]
DVMs called to action to reduce breeding of brachycephalic dogs
Paul McGreevy, PhD, and Anne Fawcett issue a challenge to the veterinary community’s role in reducing or preventing any negative health impacts of disorders in animals. They utilize brachycephalic or short-skulled dogs as their examples which include French bulldogs, pugs, British bulldogs, Boston terriers, and Cavalier King Charles spaniels. . . . given what we know, we’re … [Read more...]
Opinion – Chewing on topics for AHD
We often rely upon categories that represent frequent visits to veterinarians <link> to choose articles for you. We also review material about animals’ behavorial challenges. Here we share a selection of articles that come from media that target dog owners. These initially may not seem important to animal health pros. However, they are consistent with the top reasons for … [Read more...]
Smarter snacks and treats
Consumers are seeking treats that are palatable to their pets and provide wholesome, natural nutrition at a good price, writes Keith Loria. He reviews trends, challenges and options in the retail treat marketplace. Source: Pet Product News, February 2019, page 40. Link. Loria reviews trends including superfoods, increased protein options and price sensitivity using … [Read more...]
Help clients offer diets for pets’ life stages
Deborah E. Linder, DVM, DACVN, Tufts University, recommends veterinarians study established guidelines and give clients clear direction in selecting the appropriate pet food at each life stage. Source: Clinician’s Brief, January 2017. Link. A careful discussion of BCS, life stage, medical conditions, and AAFCO nutrient adequacy statements can better guide owners in … [Read more...]
Talking money, a team opportunity
Brendan Howard put some good thought to using Naomi Strollo’s assertions on talking money with clients. By making the topic a team challenge, there’s an excellent chance team members will be more likely to be more effective at presenting options to animal owners. Source: FIRSTLINE, January 30, 2019. Link. . . . reflect, discuss and get greater clarity and open … [Read more...]
There’s no such thing as a universal periodontal procedure fee
Barden Greenfield, DVM, DAVDC, cautions veterinary teams about the variability of dental procedures, client consent forms and client accessibility to approve of variations from a periodontal exam and treatment plan. 80 percent of all dogs and cats over the age of 3 years have some form of periodontal disease. Therefore, the initial treatment plan for an oral procedure is … [Read more...]
The calf-fed conundrum
Calves are weaning heavier, often at weights where they go from the ranch to the feedyard without a growing phase in between. The conundrum? For as long as 90 days following placement, these cattle can show health issues later in the feeding period rather than when they first go on feed. From a health standpoint, we continue to go backward,” says Miles Theurer, DVM. “The … [Read more...]
Transportation biosecurity is imperfect at best
Biosecurity is one of the greatest ways to mitigate risk. Procedures cannot fully eliminate cross contamination. Clayton Johnson, DVM, suggests producers focus on controlling what they can when it comes to risk management in their pork operations. Source: PORK, February 7, 2019. Link. There are three main principles that come into play when it comes to biosecurity on the … [Read more...]
Animal Health Protection Act enforced by USDA and FDA
Pre-signing the interstate certificate of veterinary inspection without inspecting the cattle has a Kentucky DVM waiting for sentencing. Illegally moving cattle across state lines with fraudulent paperwork is a federal offense. Source: Drover’s, January 21, 2019. Link. Under federal law prior to shipment across state lines cattle are required to be inspected by a … [Read more...]
Ruminations from NCBA Cattle Con (includes video)
Burke Teichert < link > reflects on his experiences during this year’s Cattle Industry Convention. His years of work show in his “I wonder” topics. The video interview reveals his wisdom and he challenges us to keep learning. My challenge is for all of us to become better and more engaged life-long learners—to become better systems thinkers and observers. Source: BEEF, … [Read more...]
Bad attitude or equine ulcers?
Show horses are prime candidates for ulcers because exercise, stress and travel are proven risk factors. “The interesting thing about this disease is that it seems to be affected by the environmental stressors,” Sherry Johnson, DVM, says. “Management, stress levels and even housing conditions have been shown in literature to be associated with a horse’s chances of developing … [Read more...]
She’s not pregnant. That cat is fat!
Overweight cats are at risk for a host of health issues. Sassafras Lowrey shares five health risks for overweight cats worthy of sharing with cat owners: DiabetesHigh blood pressureBone/joint damageFatty liver diseaseSkin problems Cats who are overweight are known to have shorter life spans, and the associated health problems can be deadly to the cat. Not only that, … [Read more...]
Separation anxiety study reveals benefits of petting
Like kissing your significant other or children goodbye as you leave for work, dogs respond positively to last minute petting before being separated from their owners. . . . after gentle petting, they were calmer during their owners’ absence, with lower heart rates afterward. Source: Dogster, January 28, 2019. Link. Findings from a pilot study published in the Journal of … [Read more...]
DVM shares 15 tips for caring for dogs in cold weather
Veterinary hospitals are likely seeing a rise in cold weather cases as snow, ice and bitter cold conditions continue. Winter can be hard on our pets. Dr. Laura Playforth shares common challenges that cold weather causes and her top tips for caring for your dogs in cold weather. frostbite on pawsbreathing difficulties from dogs who have short-nosespets injuring themselves … [Read more...]
It’s too cold to go potty!
What do you do when the mercury drops, or the snow is deeper than a dog’s belly? Dog owners need to strongly encourage their dog(s) to potty – actually, insist on it! Nancy Kern shares some ideas for dog owners. Consider sharing these on social media and in e-newsletters. . . . the number of cases of urinary tract infections spikes in winter, when dogs tend to “hold it” for … [Read more...]
Q & As on cannabidiol use in vet practices
As CBD goes mainstream, Stephen Cital, RVT, RLAT, SRA, VCCS and VTS-LAM, shares the lowdown on CBD—what he wishes pet owners understood about CBD treats, what conditions these treats address, and how the veterinary team can play a supporting role in educating pet parents about cannabis products. Source: VETTED, January 24, 2019. Link. . . . we must teach harm reduction … [Read more...]
Cannabis gaining acceptance in U.S. agriculture
Cannabis has become an everyday subject in animal health as an alternative to traditional treatments. Someone has to plant, cultivate and grow these plant sources. A Farm Journal exclusive survey of crop farmers and livestock producers reveals farmers’ attitudes about cannabis and gauges their interest in growing cannabis as a commercial crop for medical use, recreational … [Read more...]
Petco to close Drs. Foster and Smith
Drs. Foster and Smith pet supply operations will close officially February 12 according to a press release from owner company Petco. “Taking into account the needs of modern pet parents, shifting consumer preferences and the ongoing evolution of the Petco brand, we believe this will enable us to streamline operations and better focus on our core business and … [Read more...]
Heart attack symptoms often subtle in women
As our industry embraces the contributions and needs of female animal health pros, we offer this reminder that heart disease is the number-one killer them, as well as men. Heart disease accounts for about one in four deaths in women in the U.S., according to the CDC. February is American Heart Month so now is the perfect time to review and share this information among the women … [Read more...]
These tips will help you protect against data breaches
Fighting the temptation to abandon our attempts at securing our data is not realistic. We need to adopt a defensive attitude for the inevitable breach of our data. Whether it is your personal or business account, the main change needed in our thinking is to assume that we are targets. The first step is to use a different username and password on each crucial site or … [Read more...]
Hay! Plastic bale netting is not digestible
Modern technology for hay bale wrap is causing rumen problems that can be just as damaging and fatal as the miscellaneous hardware cows often ingest. Many producers never remove net wrap and never have problems, while others say these risks are the reason they always remove net wrap before feeding hay or running it through a processor,” Cody Creelman, DVM, says. Source: … [Read more...]