EQUUS reprises Laurie Bonner’s article from last fall to remind horse owners of the importance of protecting their animals from eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EED) and western equine encephalomyelitis (WEE). EEE easily ranks among the worst diseases a horse can get. Caused by a virus that is spread mainly by mosquitoes, the disease damages the horse’s central nervous … [Read more...]
Signs of ulcers in horses often subtle
Boehringer Ingelheim’s Hoyt Cheramie, DVM, MS, DACVS, discusses equine stomach ulcers and reminds us that subtle changes can signal an ulcer condition. Clinical signs of equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) are not pathognomonic, meaning not very highly associated with the disease. Some signs of EGUS, such as behavioral issues or poor performance, can be so common that they … [Read more...]
JAVMA: attire may impact believability
Among the many papers in the August 1st issue of JAVMA are two that will interest many veterinary team members: Clients' attitudes toward veterinarians' attire in the small animal emergency medicine setting. Link. Survey of human-horse relationships and veterinary care for geriatric horses. Link. Source: JAVMA, August 1, 20-18. Link. INSIGHTS: It is interesting … [Read more...]
Top 5 zoonotic disease concerns for dogs during hospital visits
In our post “Zoonotic knowledge poor in MDs and population,” December 20, 2017 <link> Sara Wooten, DVM, discussed the lack of zoonotic knowledge and the potential issues. . . . many MDs are uncomfortable discussing zoonotic disease and lack appropriate knowledge about the subject. Scott Weese, DVM, reiterates Wooten’s concerns and then empirically identifies the top 5 … [Read more...]
Small dogs leave dishonest scent marks (includes video)
We had to share this. A new study published in the Journal of Zoology found that small-breed male dogs engage in dishonest scent marking (yes, this is the technical term) to try to fool other dogs into thinking they're bigger than they are. Source: Bustle, August 6, 2018. Link. "Many small dogs are terriers, small versions of terriers, or other breeds and mixes of breeds … [Read more...]
White paper covers how dogs will help owners in distress (includes video)
The white paper “Timmy’s in the well: Empathy and prosocial helping in dogs,” was recently published in the journal Learning & Behavior. Paper authors studied the time that dogs responding to their owners’ crying. The study involved 34 pet dogs of various breeds and sizes and their owners. The results show that dogs will frequently push through barriers with urgency to help … [Read more...]
ARH-WOOOOOOO! Why do dogs howl?
Beyond ancestry, communication seems to be the primary reason dogs howl, writes Melvin Peña. He discusses some common reasons and situations when dogs howl. Source: Dogster, July 12, 2018. Link. INSIGHTS: Peña’s list of howling-prone dog breeds might help with a dog owner’s choices for a new animal. … [Read more...]
Therapy dogs may help with ADHD
There is good reason to suspect that dogs could be helpful for kids with ADHD, writes Karen B. London, PhD. If the Motivational Hypothesis is true, then interacting with dogs may help these kids by heightening their arousal and emotional states which may lead to increased attention and interest in the environment in which therapy takes place. Although promising, there is … [Read more...]
Our pets are fat and getting fatter
Sixty percent of cats and 56 percent of dogs in the U.S. are overweight. In fact, the Association for Pet Obesity estimates that veterinarians now classify more than 100 million dogs and cats as overweight or obese. That is up from 80 million five years ago. Some pet owners fail to recognize the severity of the problem. Source: New York Times, August 2, 2018. (paywall) … [Read more...]
Traveling with pets: AVMA FAQs
August is traditionally a busy family vacation month. These trips include pets more than ever before. The AVMA has a solid resource to answer questions about pet travel. Consider using it to inform pet owners via social media, website links and in vacation readiness newsletters. Many of these FAQs also apply to the dogs and cats that attend state fairs with 4-Hers and FFA … [Read more...]
Focus on feline health: AVMA Special Report
Animal health pros focused on Feline urinary tract health and wellness will want to review this issue of the AVMA Animal Health Smartbrief. It begins with sponsored information from Royal Canin as the first in a series of reports. Cats are known for concealing signs of illness, so often the first sign of something amiss occurs in the litter box, or outside of it, as is … [Read more...]
Cat scratch fever and prevention
Referring to a bacterial infection caused by Bartonella henselae bacteria, not Ted Nugent’s hit song of 1977, Sandy Robins reviews cat scratch fever also known as cat scratch disease. Zoonotic, cat scratch fever is preventable if you understand feline behavior and ensure pets are protected from fleas. The article includes good information about avoiding scratches and dealing … [Read more...]
A text can save your life
We’ve shared posts at AHD about career, financial and personal challenges and the mental anguish they can cause. We’ve also shared information about veterinarian and farmer and rancher suicides. Crisis Text Line is a confidential place anyone can turn to for help simply by texting HOME to 741741. Any stressful situation is accepted. Source: CRISIS TEXT LINE, Link. Text HOME … [Read more...]
Virtual farm-to-table experience a must-see for animal health pros
The Maschhoffs is the fourth-largest hog production company in North America. Its new farm-to-table experience, an interactive digital tool that explains how pigs are raised, opens pork production to public. Less than 2 percent of the U.S. population works in agriculture and some animal health pros are unfamiliar with how pork is produced. Consumer education has been a priority … [Read more...]
The delicate art of being perfectly assertive
Whether you are the boss or the leader of conversations, striking the right balance between being too assertive and not assertive enough is immensely important. One area where self-awareness is particularly hard to gain has to do with one’s level of assertiveness. Source: HBR Ascend. Link. Being flexible and socially sensitive allows for motivating and engaging without being … [Read more...]
YOU are your sustainable competitive advantage
A competitive advantage is obtained by implementing value-creating strategies that are not simultaneously being implemented by any current competitor. These strategies need to be rare, valuable and non-substitutable. These competitive advantages become sustainable when they are not easily copied and, thus, can be maintained over a long time. Source: Vet-Advantage, June 2018. … [Read more...]
New antimicrobial stewardship efforts from FDA
“I told you so,” said an animal health colleague after reading this notice about extending the FDA’s antimicrobial stewardship reach, noting the companion animal mention as well. Some of the important issues to be addressed in this new plan include establishing appropriate durations of use of medically important antimicrobials and bringing all dosage forms of medically … [Read more...]
Get the most from manure
Farmers have started harvesting including cutting hay, wheat and oats and mowing field edges to allow for better air circulation. This is also time when manure can be broadcast on fields. Sara Brown previews an app that calculates a manure application rate, based on the choice of nitrogen (N) or phosphorus (P) limits and the N, P, and potassium (K) that will be applied to the … [Read more...]
6 signs of a healthy chicken
Happy and healthy chickens are confident, strong and productive. They should also exhibit the six characteristics noted here. If they don’t, improper nutrition may be the culprit. Source: Rural Marketing News, July 30, 2018. Link. “As you get to know your birds, you’ll learn their personalities and habits. Strong hens are confident, alert and strut their stuff,” says … [Read more...]
AAHA welcomes new accredited practices
Congratulations to the latest group of veterinary hospitals to achieve AAHA accreditation from June 16 – July 13, 2018. This is a significant professional milestone for a veterinary team and strengthens the value of animal medicine they can deliver. Source: AAHA Red, July 19, 2018. Link. These teams have gone above and beyond to meet the highest standards in veterinary … [Read more...]
Stable management topics
The Equine Network Newsletter topic for August 2018 is stable management. Content is provided from four different publications. Source: The Equine Network, August 1, 2018. The risks of poor arena air quality, EQUUS. Link. Fencing for the dressage facility, Dressage Today. Link. What to know during tick season, Practical Horseman. Link. Piles of grass clippings … [Read more...]
Help keep dog stress to a minimum
Dogs, like people, get stressed by a variety of experiences in their world, writes Sassafras Lowrey. She discusses stressors and options to address stressed dogs. Common reasons for a stressed dog: Changes in the home, which may include moving or home renovations. Introducing new people, like a roommate or a partner moving in, the addition of children such as the birth … [Read more...]
Experts share what human foods dogs can eat
As making homemade dog food becomes more common, ensuring dogs get balanced diets is important. Jennifer Berg, owner of Tribeca veterinary Wellness clinic and Debra Zoran, veterinary professor at Texas A&M University shared some human foods that are okay for dogs and ones to avoid. Source: Today, July 19, 2018. Link. “Fruits and vegetables can be included in a dog’s … [Read more...]
Opinion – Train new hires to give location directions
A recent family reunion and the return trip across new geography exposed the weakness of cell phone coverage, internet connectivity and the stark reality that many younger persons cannot give directions to their work location without the help of digital technology. Imagine the end of a 600-plus-mile day, traveling with a gracious but tired octogenarian and not being able to … [Read more...]
Keeping pace with veterinary technology and services
Veterinary care providers have been slow to adapt to the rapid growth and industry advancements, writes Lidia Staron. She predicts some will be left behind. She reviews some of this year’s top trends that practice owners can consider to help stay ahead of the competition. Source: Veterinary Money Digest, July 28, 2018. Link. In addition to revenue growth, the veterinary … [Read more...]
Walmart enters veterinary care market
Targeting pets that don’t see veterinarians, Walmart is entering the veterinary care market. Veterinary clinics are opening in Walmart stores. By April 5, the pet products company PetIQ had opened its first three Walmart-based clinics in the Oklahoma cities of Bartlesville, Duncan, and Edmond. Company officials plan to have opened 20 by the end of last June. It will then push … [Read more...]
Comparison chart helps guide pet insurance decision making
There is consensus that pet insurance is good for the animal, the pet owner and for the veterinary care team. But, choosing a provider is confusing and likely a barrier for pet owners interested in buying pet insurance. Using this comparison chart along with individual hospital experiences could make a difference in getting pet insurance commitments from owners. Source: … [Read more...]
Can a lawn service replace flea and tick preventives?
It is well known that 80-plus percent of fleas are not seen. Tick infestations are similar. Lawn care companies heavily advertise their flea- and tick-repelling sprays this time of year. Michael Nappier, DVM, DABVP, asks, “Are your clients buying the hype?” Source: Veterinary Medicine, July 12, 2018. Link. Nappier shares client communication tips to use when clients refuse … [Read more...]
How mosquitoes use six needles to suck blood (includes video)
View the video for yourself and then decide how you might use this to help strengthen the heartworm and West Nile virus prevention positioning including the need to stop the mosquito before it seeks a blood meal. Seen up close, the anatomy of a mosquito bite is terrifying. The most dangerous animal in the world uses six needle-like mouthparts to saw into our skin, tap a blood … [Read more...]
A conversation can be positive or negative. It’s your choice.
Conversations are a critical part of conducting business, leading teams and interacting with others. Despite their obvious importance, how often do we think about them as a crucial skill? Imagine if everyone on your team became exceptional at having meaningful conversations. Source: skiprichard.com, June 2018. Link. Actually, conversation is powerful, period, whether it’s … [Read more...]