The age at weaning affects a cat’s later behavior. Early weaning increases aggression and stereotypic behavior. Based on a study conducted at the University of Helsinki, the recommended weaning age of 12 weeks should be raised by at least two weeks. Source: Phys.Org, September 13, 2017. The detrimental effects of early weaning have been studied in other animal species, but … [Read more...]
Manage anxious horses
The Horse staff talked to veterinarians, researchers and equine professionals about causes of anxious behavior in horses. They sought solutions to improve safety for horses, riders and bystanders. Here are possible causes the professionals shared: The horse's vision is compromised The horse is in pain The horse's tack doesn't fit The diet is out of whack The … [Read more...]
Help cows and heifers during fall calving
Managing the amount of time heifers or cows are in labor before getting help is a challenge ranchers face during calving season. Glenn Selk offers some timing perspectives. Consider using this article in discussions with cow producers this fall. Source: Drovers CattleNetwork, August 23, 2017. Research information shows that calves from prolonged deliveries are weaker and … [Read more...]
10 steps for milking excellence
Each year, regardless of milk price, the top 20 percent to 25 percent of dairy producers show some profit per cow. Pamela Ruegg, DVM, identified 10 smart things dairy farmers do to achieve milking excellence: Set performance goals. Rapidly identify problems. Milk clean cows. Standardize milking routines. Train staff. Maintain and update milking systems. … [Read more...]
Help clients understand therapeutic diets
Elisa Jordan writes about discussing therapeutic diets with clients and addressing their benefits, effectiveness, cost and necessity. Emphasizing the medicinal qualities of such diets help pet owners understand exactly what they’re paying for and how they’re actually treating their pets. Source: Veterinary Practice News, August 25, 2017. A problem surrounding these diets, … [Read more...]
Pain and P3 remnants
Sixty percent of declawed cats have residual P3 fragments according to a recent study. Back pain, inappropriate elimination, biting, aggression and barbering occurred more often in cats with retained P3 fragments. Only increased biting and inappropriate elimination habits were seen in cats without them. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, June 2017. This study’s findings may … [Read more...]
Everything dairy; Journal of Dairy Science, October 2017
Animal health pros servicing dairy farmers, dairy veterinarians or marketing products for dairy use need to skim the studies in this month’s issue. Our team found two papers of interest: Dairy calf management—A comparison of practices and producer attitudes among conventional and organic herds Effect of prepartum exercise, pasture turnout, or total confinement on hoof … [Read more...]
Review BRD protocols now
Jim Sears, DVM with Bayer Animal Health, reminds producers to review and train on the bovine respiratory disease protocols before a shipment of cattle arrives. He offers a few simple tips to simplify your protocol decisions and help operations be efficient in treating BRD: Make protocols as simple as possible. Be objective – when selecting products, evaluate why each … [Read more...]
A game plan for the difficult conversation you have been putting off
Carrying an issue without resolution is like carrying debt. You’ll eventually have to pay the principal (by having the difficult conversation), but the longer you wait, the more interest you’ll pay in anxiety and dread. Source: Harvard Business Review, April 12, 2017. Life is full of difficult conversations, particularly if you’re invested in having a great team at work. … [Read more...]
Rabies is still a public health issue
Despite that rabies continues to be a public health threat, some animal health pros fail to recognize its persistence. Vaccination alone is not the "silver bullet" for continued control of this nearly 100 percent fatal disease. If vaccination is the foundation of rabies control, then animal control is the cornerstone of it. Source: Vetted, April 14, 2017. Since the 1960s … [Read more...]
A quadrillion reasons those microbes matter
When cattle are fed, producers feed an ecosystem of bacteria, protozoa and fungi. Rumen microbes work together to break down what a cow eats, turning the feed into energy and protein. Keeping microbes flourishing can keep cows productive and in the herd. The numbers are mind-boggling. Source: Beef, August 24, 2017. Three main microorganisms are responsible for breaking down … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – Fall equine wellness (includes video)
Zoetis has provided the American Quarter Horse Association with material about preparing horses for the risks of fall season. Annual spring vaccinations help offer disease protection and can activate an immune response. Now that it’s almost fall, the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) vaccination guidelines recommend at-risk horses be vaccinated for equine … [Read more...]
“Let cats scratch” says the AAFP
Revising its previous 2015 position statement on declawing, the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) now strongly opposes onychectomy as an elective procedure. The AAFP’s position stresses the need for veterinary teams to educate cat caregivers, as many are unaware that declawing is a surgical amputation of the third phalanx. Scratching is a normal feline … [Read more...]
Groom advice, stop feeding horses treats
Megan Withers offers advice to horse owners about feeding too many treats. In her experiences, horse owners train horses to exhibit some bad behaviors by over-treating. This is good content for clients with unruly critters, new horse owners or young people just getting involved in horsemanship. Source: Horse Network, September 9, 2017. When your horse nickers for you as you … [Read more...]
Avoid things that kill or hurt cats
Client education is a continuous challenge in veterinary practice or in a retail environment. Many new pet owners have little or no awareness about common risks. Articles like this that review risks to cats at home make good content for websites, social media posts or new pet kits. Source: Catster, September 5, 2017. The three most common cat injuries are represented by … [Read more...]
AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines revised
The 2017 AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines were developed to help support veterinary teams as they determine protocols for each of their patients’ risk factors, life stage, and lifestyle. Published in the September/October edition of the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association (JAAHA)—and for the first time, as an online educational resource for the veterinary … [Read more...]
Flood resources now available
A new pamphlet for preparing, responding and recovered from flooding is now available from the University of California’s vet school. You can get it here. A second pamphlet deals more with dairy farms and evacuations due to flooding. Get it here. Source: Dairy Herd Management, September 8, 2017. Following one of the wettest seasons on record in California, the University of … [Read more...]
Sleep better when dogs are in the bedroom, not bed
Mayo Clinic research scientists recently conducted a study to determine how sleeping with dogs impacts sleep quality. The findings of this small study indicate those who kept their dogs in their bedroom experienced better sleep, compared to those who didn’t. Those who slept with their pet in bed suffered from lower quality of sleep. Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, … [Read more...]
Engage more clients, retain more clients
Customer engagement and experience management are key value drivers to client retention. Value delivery methods are critical to ensure clients keep your business top of mind. An engagement program with multi-touch messaging and a strategy to drive client loyalty will help create success. Source: MWI Messenger, September 2017, page 9. Client engagement creates loyalty. Equal … [Read more...]
Household cleaning products that are not safe for dogs
As the human-animal bond strengthens, our homes can become risky, especially with cleaning products . Furniture wax, cleaning wipes, even disinfecting sprays are part of the products reviewed in this article. Consider using the information on websites, blogs or in social media posts. New pet owners need this information, as well. Source: Dogster, August 23, 2017. Several … [Read more...]
Help pet owners prepare a disaster plan
Before tropical storms Jose, Katia, or Lee arrive, Pet Sitters International is offering tips for to pet owners so they can prepare for disaster and remember that “no pet left behind” is the best policy to avoid potential injury and death. September is National Preparedness Month. Source: Pet Product News, September 6, 2017. Creating a disaster plan is an important step … [Read more...]
Help clients build recordkeeping systems
We liked this article which begins with the reality of “fire truck” rural practice. Jake Geis shares how the fire truck calls can become opportunities to show clients how to keep better health records. He recommends the veterinarian take the initiative to do some of the recordkeeping to help increase profitability and provide more job satisfaction. Source: Beef, September 1, … [Read more...]
Cat food variety growing rapidly
While kibble remains the mainstay, the cat food category is expanding with new options as manufacturers seek to meet customers’ varied demands. Nutritional science, as well as consumer and feline preferences, drive the trends and appear to be following the trends in dog foods for increased numbers of natural offerings and unique protein sources. Source: Pet Product News, … [Read more...]
Zombie dogs or mangy coyote? (graphic image)
Chicago residents are reporting mangy coyotes as zombie dogs. Sarcoptic mange causes the coyotes to lose hair and develop infections. The infections can degrade their eyesight, which may cause these normally nocturnal animals to become active during the day. Source: Bellevue News-Democrat, August 31, 2017. Police are warning persons that mange is contagious to animals. It … [Read more...]
Bayer, 4-H promoting STEM education
Science, technology, engineering and math are the focus of a collaboration with Bayer and 4-H. They hope to address the concern that 26 million STEM related jobs go unfulfilled each year. The partnership seeks to engage youth and maintain their interest in STEM skills. Source: Ag Web, September 5, 2017. There are six million students in 4-H. Science Matters will extend the … [Read more...]
Your dog doesn’t need the gluten-free menu
Jackie Parr, DVM, discusses all things gluten, human and pet, in this Q/A article. She reminds us that dogs and cats do not get Celiac disease and generally don’t need a gluten-free diet. Source: Dr. Andy Roark, April 29, 2017. So when would I avoid feeding gluten: You happen to see a very rare case of gluten sensitive enteropathy in an Irish Setter puppy You are … [Read more...]
Zoonotic diseases quiz is timely
Among the current and future challenges of the Hurricane Harvey devastation is the risk of zoonotic disease exchanges. An entire underground population of rats, mice, feral cats, skunks, raccoons and who knows what else was forced to move along with people. Like humans, they will move back into the area carrying with them all sorts of zoonotic risks including leptospirosis, … [Read more...]
Therapy chickens help nursing home residents
The therapeutic value of taking dogs to visit hospitals, special needs centers, schools and nursing homes is well-known. Even docile cats are now sometimes used as therapy animals. But therapy chickens? Source: Backyard Poultry, August 30, 2017. Today therapy chickens are used around the world to help those in nursing homes improve their mobility and have fun. Residents are … [Read more...]
Preg-checking considerations for cow herds
Wyatt Bechtel shares pregnancy checking suggestions from Extension specialists in various parts of the U.S.: Pregnancy testing cattle to save money Have your breeding dates on hand Pregnancy check heifers early Cull those open heifers Source: Drovers CattleNetwork, August 31, 2017. It makes more business sense to sell the open heifers, rather than create more … [Read more...]
Biodiversity important for goat farming
Using lessons from the dairy producers, goat farmers are urged to maintain genetic diversity in their herds, rather than breed for production-specific traits. By not doing so, animals may become ill-equipped to adapt to changing conditions or fight new diseases. The United Nations is so concerned that more than 100 countries are already signed up to monitor genealogies and … [Read more...]