A Google search produces dozens of visiting pet organizations that provide pet therapy visits to elder care facilities. The results are positive and the organizations require visiting pets to be trained for such activities. Ramona Marek reviews a growing trend of allowing seniors to bring their pet from home when they enter a care facility. I’m supportive of fur, feathers … [Read more...]
Opinion – Adjust clinic visits to appeal to millennials
Architect Paul Gladyz offers thought-provoking ideas about how to adjust the veterinary visit to meet the experience-desiring millennials. As a father of millennials, his perspective is personal, as well as professional. Millennials want their experiences to work toward an enjoyable life. Source: Today’s Veterinary Business, April 2019. Link. The fact remains millenials are … [Read more...]
Leave wildlife wild
“Young wild animals are rarely abandoned or orphaned,” said Missouri Department of Conservation State Wildlife Veterinarian Sherri Russell. “The wildlife parent is afraid of people and will retreat when you approach.” . . . most wild mothers do not abandon their young because of a human smell on them, and most young wild animals do not survive in captivity. Source: Missouri … [Read more...]
Keep those mosquitos away
Mosquitoes are a worldwide problem and the solutions are the same no matter where you live. The best way to avoid mosquito borne diseases, such as heartworm, is to keep the mosquitos away. Protecting animals from vector mosquitoes remains an animal health priority. Here are two references to consider as you deal with the pesky bugs. Source: How to keep mosquitoes away, … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – Rethinking the way veterinary medicine does retail (video)
Finance expert Fritz Wood talks about the challenges the veterinary industry faces when it comes to carrying and selling products, as well as why services such as Hills to Home are worth considering. Veterinarians can ill-afford to walk away or lose a third of their business Source: NAVC Spark, April 19, 2019. Link. . . . is this (inventory business) a business I really … [Read more...]
Goat packing revisited
We first posted content about pack goats in September 2016. < link > Theresa Miller shares her experience with pack goats and discusses how they carry gear for camping, hunting and trail maintenance into the Rocky Mountains. Goats are well suited to the high country. Their surefooted nature makes them able to navigate steeper, rougher, and less-maintained trails than … [Read more...]
Dairy goats expanding faster than any major livestock group
The U.S. dairy goat herd grew 61 percent between 2007 and 2017, according to the latest Census of Agriculture. Numbers for hens and beef cattle were flat. Numbers for specialty animals dropped out of sight. While goat numbers are predicted to continue increasing, the business is not without challenges. Source: Washington Post, April 23, 2019. Link. . . . To this day, banks … [Read more...]
Managing persistently infected calves key to BVD prevention
It’s a story we have been told over and over. Yet, we still see BVD sneak into herds. One of the most common ways it spreads is with persistently infected (PI) calves. Chris Chase, DVM, says the biggest issue with BVD is in herds that haven’t been testing calves with an ear-notch program and where biosecurity is not great. Monitoring for BVD is very important because when the … [Read more...]
Get colostrum fed to calves. Period.
Feeding colostrum can set a calf up for success from the start. Micheal Steele studied colostrum delivery methods and found no real difference between bottles, bags or tubes. Just get the colostrum into calves immediately” – Michael Steele Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, April 22, 2019. Link. INSIGHTS: This quick read can help open up good discussions about using colostrum . . . … [Read more...]
Myths and truths of equine cribbing
Several factors that seem to contribute to acquiring a cribbing habit, says Tina Steward, DVM. Such as: Dietary lack of roughage Diet of sweetened feeds Long periods without feed Emotional and physical stress Genetic, heritable traits Lots of forage and friends are the best management tools for cribbers and cribbing prevention. Source: Dressage Today, … [Read more...]
Fix stinky chicken coops
Jeremy Chartier shares a few tips to fix chicken coop smells or at least understand the issue. The booming urban chicken trend has neighborhoods dealing with new odors. The most likely culprit is ammonia. Ammonia is a natural byproduct found in poultry manure and when in vapor form, smells incredibly strong and foul. Source: Countryside Daily, July 20, 2018. Link. In the … [Read more...]
Catnip basics, the original feline high (includes videos)
It turns out there are some psychotropic affects going on when your cat gets into the catnip zone, writes Phillip Mlynar. According to science buffs, cats react to catnip after a volatile oil in it called nepetalactone interacts with the nasal tissue. Once the catnip has been engaged, it starts to replicate pheromones that, in turn, switch on feline receptors and make all sorts … [Read more...]
Finicky feline eaters: born or made?
Most finicky cats have likely been trained by impatient, overly concerned owners, according to nutritionists at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine Cats in general are happy to eat the same food day after day. . . . just put out the food and let the cat eat or not as he desires. Source: Tufts Catnip, April 2019. Link. In some cases, a change in a cat’s diet is … [Read more...]
Questions to ask when choosing a boarding kennel
The boarding kennel marketplace continues to expand for cats and dogs. Animal owners need need help to choose the right facility for their pet, regardless of whether its for daycare or for an extended stay. Joseph H. Kinnarney, DVM, MS, gives questions to ask when selecting a boarding kennel: What vaccinations do you require? Can I see where my pet will stay? What … [Read more...]
10 types of service dogs have different roles
Heather Marcoux tackles the growing diversity of service dog breeds and their roles. For a growing number of individuals with specific physical, neurological or mental health needs, different types of service dogs are invaluable partners in day-to-day life. Legally, most of these types of service dogs are welcome in places where pet dogs are not. Unfortunately, the practice of … [Read more...]
Parasite education? There’s an APP for that
The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) has designed an app to help strengthen skills in the microscopic identification of fecal parasites in veterinary clinic settings and for individual study. The Veterinary Internal Parasite Flash Card App < link > includes approximately 100 veterinary internal parasites found in dogs, cats, small mammals, reptiles and … [Read more...]
Stay sharp when your ability to focus declines
We live and work in an increasingly disruptive world. Research shows interruptions occur about every 12 minutes in the workplace and even more frequently in other settings. Authors Dr. Adam Gazzaley, a neuroscientist, and Dr. Larry Rosen, a psychologist, explain how our ability to pay attention works and what we can do to stay focused. Researchers say our ability to pay … [Read more...]
Male or female, humping is a normal dog behavior
Humping behavior is mostly associated with male dogs, but it is not uncommon in female dogs, writes Sassafras Lowrey. The behavior is usually a sign of heightened arousal, but not necessarily sexual. Lowrey sought information from Nik Hof, Chair of The Association of Professional Dog Trainers, to address common concerns and methods to manage the behavior. Sorce: Whole Dog … [Read more...]
Dog whimpering may not mean something bad
Dog whimpering communicates something, but it doesn’t automatically indicate something bad, according to David Dilmore, DVM, He says whimpering can caused by any of these factors: Being uncomfortable or in pain Illness Feeling anxious Needing something/excitement Source: Dogster, April 3, 2019. Link. . . . dog whimpering is just a way for dogs to communicate … [Read more...]
Top 5 substances that affect blood glucose
Thomas Schermerhorn, VMD, DACVIM (SAIM), shares his top five substances that exert important effects on blood glucose regulation in dogs and cats and the clinical situations in which they may be encountered: Insulin Glucocorticoids Xylitol Growth hormone Progestins Source: Clinician’s Brief, November 2018. Link. Abnormalities in blood glucose occur when … [Read more...]
Dogs, ibuprofen and other human pain relievers
Melvin Peña provides solid information about ibuprofen and other human NSAIDS being ingested by dogs. He explains the compounds’ mode of action in dogs and shares common toxicity symptoms. Peña focuses his information on dogs and ibuprofen, since it appears to be the biggest reported culprit. Still no nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID, is safe for dogs to … [Read more...]
Alternatives for feeding dogs with diarrhea or other stomach issues
Marc Smith, DVM, draws from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) food therapy when addressing a dog with stomach issues. His approach is to optimize the individual’s qi (life force) by balancing the internal energies of yin (cold) and yang (heat). According to TCM, all foods have properties that either warm the body, cool the body or are neutral, says Smith. Most acute … [Read more...]
The role of gut-microbiota in animal health, well-being
The complex microbial community in the gut of animals plays a critical role in pathogen control, immune function, nutrient provision and intestinal morphology. Animals are born with no effective gut microbiota. Inoculation and colonization begins as the animal exits the birth canal. Each animal’s microbiota is unique, but 90 percent of the contributing organisms are of the … [Read more...]
Improve biosecurity to keep ASF at bay
Swine veterinarians are critical industry players to keep watch over deadly diseases. With the threat of African swine fever (ASF) looming large, keeping up to date on biosecurity protocols is important. Betsy Freese, executive editor of Successful Farming, and Paul Thomas, associate veterinarian for AMVC Management Services, share questions and answers about … [Read more...]
Time for equine soundness exams
Now is the time to make sure your horse is ready for the rigors of regular work, writes Christine Barakat. When scheduling horses’ spring shots, veterinarians need to schedule some time to evaluate horse soundness and joint health, as well. A soundness exam serves two purposes: it will identify any current soundness issues that need to be managed the exam will provide a … [Read more...]
Let chicks outside at the right time
Marissa Ames discusses when new chicks can leave the brooder to get exposed to the outdoors. She provides an informative growth and temperature chart to help chicken owners keep weather in mind so chicks manage the transition from brooder to the outdoors as well as possible. Source: Countryside Daily, March 13, 2019. Link. Whether chicks are outside or in, always ensure they … [Read more...]
PickyOrSick.com, a new science-based resource helps cat owners
A new website from Kindred Biosciences, Inc., helps owners recognize changes in eating and drinking behavior in their cat and directs them to a veterinarian. The site provides research-backed information and always directs owners to make an appointment at their local veterinary clinic. Note how often people search the internet about cat illness in the announcement. Source: … [Read more...]
Top 10 Cities heartworm report: March 2019
CAPC released the March 2019 report that lists cities with the highest percentage increase in positive heartworm tests. They are: Overland Park, KS San Francisco, CA Laredo, TX Thousand Oaks, CA Salinas, CA Oceanside, CA Clarksville, TN Portland, OR Providence, RI Jersey City, NJ Source: CAPC, April 12, 2019. Link. Share this update with … [Read more...]
USDA simplifying vaccine labels
Industry groups have pushed for a single-tiered system since 2002. Similar to the system FDA uses for human vaccines, the single-tiered system makes the approval process more efficient, while still providing producers and veterinarians the information they need to make vaccine decisions. USDA published a final rule in 2015. USDA released guidelines in 2018, and the … [Read more...]
Employment opportunities in veterinary profession exploding
The 2013 National Research Council comprehensive study of current and future workforce needs in the veterinary profession concluded there was little evidence of workforce shortages in most areas of the profession. Today however, the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate a projected increase of 15,000 veterinarian positions will be needed between 2016 and 2026. While it’s very … [Read more...]