Here is a handy list of reasons to protect dogs, cats and ferrets against heartworm infection. Provided by the American Heartworm Society, it is available in both a slide show and list form. Source: Linked In, July 26, 2017. There’s no such thing as heartworm “season.” Chances are, you don’t live in a heartworm-free zone. Pets with heartworms are found across the United … [Read more...]
AQHA Daily Health Archive
A colleague contacted me looking for good references for an article he was working on. I sent him to the AQHA website. So, in the spirit of supporting animal health pros who post equine information on websites, blogs and social media, we’re linking you the health archive on the AQHA website. Source: AQHA Daily. Scroll through many topics presented as original and sponsored … [Read more...]
Laser pointer play ill-advised
It is common for people to be amused by the behavior of a frantic dog pouncing on a moving dot of light from a laser pointer. Karen London, PhD, shares why this game is not advised for dogs. Source: The Bark, July 26, 2017. No matter how much dogs respond to them, I recommend against the use of laser pointers. It’s just too likely that the game will negatively affect the … [Read more...]
Opinion – Keep dogs safe on beaches
Good content often falls short of the whole story. In this case, the article presents good considerations for sharing a beach trip with a canine. However, references to ensure the pet is protected from diseases easily shared in a public area are missing. In community parks or dog parks, the risk of leptospirosis can be as significant at beaches. The risks are not just from … [Read more...]
Stop that itch
At least two dermatological issues are always among the top 10 ailments veterinary teams face with dogs. Anthea E. Schick, DVM, DACVD, with a fun editorial twist from Dr. Sarah Wooten, share the latest research findings from the 2017 North American Dermatology Forum that every private practitioner needs to know For animal health pros at all levels, this information is clearly … [Read more...]
Canine influenza is spreading
Animal health pros, especially veterinary healthcare teams must be vigilant and stay abreast of the latest news about this highly contagious disease. This includes: areas affected, prevention and canine influenza treatment protocols where appropriate. Communicating with clients is paramount to alleviate concerns and allow for risk assessment. A one-size-fits-all statement is … [Read more...]
Steve Dale talks mosquitoes (includes videos)
Mosquito prevention and the Double Defense protocol are covered by Steve Dale, CABC and host of the syndicated radio programs, Steve Dale’s Pet World and The Pet Minute that air on more than 100 stations. The video is something you can use to educate clients. Consider sharing it via websites, blogs and social media posts. Source: Steve Dale Pet World, July 31, 2017. It is … [Read more...]
Call me. Please!
If you’re one who prefers texts, emails and emojis, it’s likely time to use your phone’s keyboard to call coworkers, customers; even suppliers. In this CEO’s experiment, it turns out that effective phone calls save time, uncover clear direction and yes, tighten relationships. Source: Fast Company, August 1, 2017. What I found was that particularly for more nuanced … [Read more...]
Cool clear water. Is it?
Water is readily available in the United States, yet 63 percent of Americans worry a great deal about drinking water pollution. Whether you live in the city, suburbs, on an acreage or farm, water quality is a modern-day concern for people and their animals. Two extension educators urge consumers to monitor their water and have it tested if they suspect problems. Source: The … [Read more...]
New recommendations for feline spay/neuter surgery
The AVMA board of directors has endorsed a consensus document recommending that cats not intended for breeding be gonadectomized prior to five months of age. Source: AVMA@Work, July 10, 2017. This document represents a clear and evidence-based position that promotes individual animal health and welfare, contributes to effective population control, and can be communicated … [Read more...]
Deer steal feed in summer, create TB infection possibilities
“Isn’t she just so cute,” is not the best statement when seeing a doe and twin fawns eating farm-stored feed on an early August morning. Deer movements studied by scientists with USDA National Wildlife Research Center and Michigan State University showed more visits by deer to farm-stored feed in December and January than in the fall or spring. But, what stood out in the data … [Read more...]
Stop deceiving dogs
We mislead our dogs when we are not absolutely clear in our intentions. Plus, we lie to them when we give them affection at the wrong time. Cesar Milan says the result can be dogs that are frustrated, fearful, confused or even aggressive, but the solution is very easy. Source: Cesar’s Way, July 30, 2017. We have to be absolutely clear in our attentions and express them to … [Read more...]
Diagnosing and treating anaphylactic shock
Anaphylaxis is often misdiagnosed because definitive criteria to distinguish it from an allergic reaction are lacking. This article reviews anaphylaxis pathophysiology, diagnostic criteria, treatment, and clinical examples. Source: Today’s Veterinary Practice, July/August 2017. Anaphylaxis is a severe condition that requires rapid emergency treatment. Because of the lack of … [Read more...]
5 most loyal dog breeds
Dogs are generally loyal to mankind, certainly in comparison to other species not developed for human companionship. But some dog breeds were developed with an extra dose of loyalty to their people. Source: Dogster, July 21, 2017. The breeder groups making the most noise about loyalty traits in these breeds: Bouvier des Flandres Bullmastiff Yorkshire Terrier … [Read more...]
Cat butt questions answered
Dr. Arnold Plotnick answers common questions about the posteriors of our feline friends including scooting, anal gland expression and wiping. Source: Catster, July 27, 2017. Fortunately, cat butt problems are a minor issue in cats. But, there are some conditions that can be serious, such as infections, tumors and anal gland abscesses. INSIGHTS: Consider sharing this … [Read more...]
Manage old soft tissue injuries properly
Tendon and suspensory ligament injuries plague horses performing in all disciplines. Even pleasure horses and pasture ornaments may fall victim if they take the proverbial bad step over rough ground conditions. These are every bit as painful as bone or joint disorders and can take as much as a year to heal. Source: Horse Network, July 28, 2017. The common practice of giving … [Read more...]
Don’t apologize. Do this instead.
Excessive apologizing can take away others' confidence in you as a leader. Instead, practice moves like thanking people for waiting if you are late to a meeting rather than saying, “sorry,” writes Judith Humphrey. Avoid apologizing before giving bad news so you don't reinforce the negativity of what you will say, and focus on solutions rather than feeling sorry for not being … [Read more...]
22 plants you may not know could poison dogs (infographic)
Use this infographic to correctly identify which plants are poisonous to dogs so you know which ones to keep dogs away from. This information will make good content for websites, social media, newsletters and in puppy kits. Source: The Bark, July 20, 2017. A study found that one in 12 pets has eaten poisonous plants, with smaller dogs and puppies being particularly at risk … [Read more...]
Horses and the heat: Fact vs. fiction
The heat across the Midwest has been severe recently. In addition to the challenges to humans, animals suffer, as well. It isn’t only performance and racing horses that are at risk. Serious dehydration and overheating can happen to any horse. Be wary of misinformation out there. Source: Horse Network, July 2015. Never let a hot horse drink all they want, or drink cold … [Read more...]
Proven, free program brings back inactive clients
Churn can approach one-fourth of active clients annually. Normal reasons for churn include moving, pets dying, divorce, owner illnesses and others. An industry funded program, used by more than 1,000 veterinary practices can help bring your inactive clients back. Source: AAHA NEWStat, July 18, 2017. The program, Partners for Healthy Pets (PHP) is an alliance of 100+ … [Read more...]
What these sleeping positions tell owners about their dogs
Fun and thought provoking. There are many attributes in dogs’ sleeping behavior that can indicate their overall mood, health and state of mind. Some of these include the duration of their sleep, movement, frequency and location. One such attribute is the position in which they are sleeping. Source: Pet Pace, July 3, 2017. Sleeping positions and attributes can bring you … [Read more...]
New ideas about implanting feedyard heifers
We don’t see a lot about implanting these days. This article features Merck Animal Health nutritionist Marshall Streeter, PhD, as he outlined some of the research conducted in preparation for release of a new heifer implant. Since most implant research has been conducted with from steers, Merck’s new data could improve our understanding of implant use in feedyard … [Read more...]
Opinion – Tufts studies patient-therapy animal risk
This topic has taken a long time to surface. Personally, I’ve often wondered about zoonotic risks from taking therapy animals into hospitals and nursing homes. While human patients receive many benefits from animal visits, the reality is that facilities are not monitoring or managing the risks. Guidelines for safety, health and monitoring do exist, with one set from the AVMA … [Read more...]
Early weaning is hard on pigs
Speaking about his research findings, Adam Moeser, DVM, discussed the pathophysiology of stress-induced gastrointestinal disorders in animals and people during a recent meeting in Rome, Italy. He explained that during postnatal life, major developmental changes take place in the enteric nervous system of pigs. Because the GI systems are undergoing development during this time, … [Read more...]
Microchip comparison matrix
Microchipping remains a controversial subject with pet owners. To help, comparing microchips is easy with the chart in this infographic. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, “A study of more than 7,700 stray animals at animal shelters showed that dogs without microchips were returned to their owners 21.9 percent of the time, whereas microchipped dogs were … [Read more...]
Anesthetic monitoring: interpret the readings correctly
Monitors have improved veterinary medicine. But, a monitor cannot save a life unless the team member monitoring the patient understands the readings and can determine when the monitor is wrong. Any values differing from normal parameters should be investigated to determine whether they are life-threatening or merely glitches in the equipment. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, … [Read more...]
Improve horse health with good fly control
House flies and stable flies have three prerequisites for successful completion of their life cycles: appropriate breeding materials, moisture and warmth, according to the Horse Industry Handbook. Eliminating any of these factors will minimize fly breeding. Source: AQHA Journal, July 13, 2018. Follow these simple tips for improving fly control Practice good … [Read more...]
The truth about tick control
Why clients don't buy tick control and other information is presented in this infographic. My pet never goes outside and other excuses. Source: Firstline, June 20, 2017. What veterinary clients don't know about tick control can hurt them. Here's a look at who's buying tick control, why clients resist and more. INSIGHTS: July and August are the heaviest summer vacation … [Read more...]
Transportation stress adds layer of risk
Greg Henderson writes about transporting cattle, but this content is applicable to pigs and horses, as well. Transportation stress remains a primary determinant of how much work awaits feedyard employees. “Cattle that are hauled long distances go through many types of stress which could include maternal separation (weaning), transportation, water and feed deprivation and more,” … [Read more...]
Cesar shares good topics of interest
Cesar Milan’s team does a nice job of covering several topics in a recent newsletter. They include: Coyotes, an urban threat to dogs Choosing pet insurance Protecting pets from wild animals Camping with Canines Source: Cesar’s Way, June 21, 2017. While it’s good to be in touch with nature, sometimes nature can intrude in unwanted ways. Just because you live in … [Read more...]