All dogs go to heaven when they die, of course, but they leave behind bodies. Rooted Pet, a startup in Seattle, Washington, intends to help with that. Composting carcasses is not unusual. Farms often use it to get rid of dead livestock and some states use it to manage roadkill. So, Paul Tschetter, a Seattle entrepreneur, helped create a process that he says is, “adding … [Read more...]
Cull the right cows without keeping records
What? no records? Cattlemen are often told to keep individual records on each cow and calf. Burt Teichert contradicts that and thinks that it is a waste of time. He says, you don’t really select cows. You eliminate or cull the ones you don’t want. You select bulls. Source: Beef, September 1, 2017. How do we cull the right cow without any paper or computerized records? It … [Read more...]
It is okay to NOT shoe horses
If you understand why people shoe their horses, you can help solve the problems, rather than criticize the solutions. Reasons include: nutrition, competition, traction, environment, health issues and genetics. Source: Horse Network, October 11, 2017. Nancy Rich-Gutierrez manages her husband’s farrier company. She shares 5 ways to encourage bare hooves on horses. … [Read more...]
Don’t flush that fish
Pet fish aficionados in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex have a new hero in Eli Prachar. She and a partner have teamed up to create DFW Fish Rescue to take in unwanted water pets. In its first week, the pair has taken in nearly 200 fish and they’re working on a deal with a local animal shelter to expand capacity. Source: nbcdfw.com, October 19, 2017 and Dallas Morning News, … [Read more...]
Opinion – Vaccine refusals rising in many parts of the country
PLEASE, ignore the political bent. Please! Consider how human behaviors and standards are consistently presented to us as influencing pet care decisions. Then mull over the information on the vaccine refuser and vaccine hesitant groups of persons. Source: Vox, October 3, 2017. Most research shows that parents who reject some or all vaccines are more likely to be white, … [Read more...]
November 2017 JAVMA
The recent hurricanes and related flooding displaced many pets. Multiple canine parvovirus outbreaks have been reported. We note the paper linked below in this issue of JAVMA. It is a timely retrospective case series and case-control study. Evaluation of mortality rate and predictors of outcome in dogs receiving outpatient treatment for parvoviral enteritis. Source: … [Read more...]
Vet Tech Week ends; the work continues (includes podcast)
The media coverage for National Vet Tech week was ramped up this year. Animal health pros across America celebrated the various contributions of this community of professionals. The lobby for changing their designation to veterinary nurse is well underway. We selected a group of articles on the subject of veterinary technicians or veterinary nurses. These include: The … [Read more...]
Learning from dentists
Dental and chiropractic medical practices are frequently referenced as similar to veterinary practices. Bob Lester shares ways the dental industry adapted to become a prevention business. In his analysis, team-based health care delivery is a win-win. We help more pets, our teams are empowered and we reap the financial rewards. Source: Today’s Veterinary Business, September … [Read more...]
WSAVA unveils first global veterinary dentistry guidelines, rejects anesthesia-free
We’ve known for decades that dentistry is important in small animal medicine. Recently, the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) launched global veterinary dentistry guidelines. A key theme is WSAVA’s rejection of anesthesia-free dentistry, which it describes as ineffective and a cause of unnecessary stress and suffering to patients. The guidelines seek to support … [Read more...]
Study finds dairy has anti-inflammatory effect (includes video)
“Dairy products, particularly fermented dairy products, have anti-inflammatory properties in humans not suffering from allergies to milk,” said Bradley Bolling, citing research from University of Wisconsin during the World Dairy Expo. Source: Dairy Herd Management, October 5, 2017. A UW study involving 132 women over nine weeks, yogurt provided some anti-inflammatory … [Read more...]
Irish farm teaches reality to urban dwellers
It’s okay for kids not to know a sheep from a goat, a carrot from a parsnip or that cows really give milk. That’s the philosophy of Airfield Estate, a 38-acre farm just outside central Dublin, Ireland. In fact, teaching kids and others about the realities of agriculture and livestock. Source: National Geographic, September 5, 2016. Our mission is to inspire people to … [Read more...]
Hoof trimming not always understood
Managing hoof care can be challenging. Often, the horse is not the issue. Horse owners sometimes have varying levels of knowledge and different backgrounds. Nancy Rich-Gutierrez shares why farriers often must explain what they’re doing and why. Source: Horse Network, October 1, 2017. Horses in the wild don’t need their hooves trimmed because they walk all day and wear them … [Read more...]
Antimicrobial stewardship guidelines now available
“Key Elements for Implementing Antimicrobial Stewardship Plans in Bovine Veterinary Practices Working with Beef and Dairy Operations” is the title of a new document recently created by AABP. It was compiled to help veterinarians with best practices for designing, implementing and monitoring antimicrobial stewardship programs with clients and to help beef and dairy operations … [Read more...]
The invisible emotional burden of caring for a sick pet
Researchers are discovering the dynamics of overlooked or minimized impacts on animal owners with sick animals. “I wouldn’t equate pet caregiving with human, and certainly don’t want to minimize what family caregivers go through,” said lead author Mary Beth Spitznagel, a clinical neuropsychologist at Kent State University, “but we are seeing similar patterns in terms of a … [Read more...]
While uncommon, owners may have Leptospirosis risk
We hear a lot about zoonotic risks where disease in animals can infect animal owners. George E. Moore, DVM, and Michael R. Lappin, DVM, have written clear instructions for animal owners and team members to help prevent zoonotic infection from Leptospirosis sp. Source: Clinician’s Brief, September 2017. Infection appears to be uncommon for owners of dogs with leptospirosis … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – Protect horses from the five core diseases
Dr. Kevin Hankins, DVM of Zoetis technical services group, asserts the threats from deadly equine diseases like West Nile and rabies is closer than we think. Don’t leave horses exposed. Help protect them with annual vaccinations against the five core equine diseases: Eastern and Western Equine Encephalomyelitis Rabies Tetanus West Nile Source: AQHA, October 5, … [Read more...]
Fear Free resources for the home (videos included)
The Fear Free movement continues to gain momentum. We stumbled on to Fear Free Happy Homes on Twitter. Housed on this website are videos and information to help pet owners create their own fear free environment. Consider registering and using the videos in social media, on websites and as part of school educational programs. Source: Fear Free Happy Homes, October 7, … [Read more...]
Value-added calves are the result of good pre-conditioning
According to survey numbers, the value of pre-conditioning or back-grounding calves post-weaning is growing rapidly. Since its inception, the Beef Quality Assurance program has given beef producers a template on how to do things right. More than one-third of producers are BQA certified according to the survey results. Source: Beef, October 2017, page 22. Dan Thompson, DVM, … [Read more...]
Opinion – Anti-vaccine movement gaining traction
Animal health pros focus on issues of One Health, zoonosis and disease control. It is not unusual to find material that portrays animal owners spending more on their pets’ care than their own health. We are going through a continuum of vaccination rationalization discussions. Then we find articles like this about the anti-vaccine movement in human health. Be assured, AHD has … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – Lifestyle vaccine podcast series
Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health has produced a series of podcasts with VetFolio® featuring three thought leaders presenting about key infectious diseases. They discuss facts that help determine a vaccination protocol that is right for individual animals, along with practical tips to optimize client education and compliance. The podcast topics are: Episode 1: Feline … [Read more...]
FDA video outlines drug resistance in parasites (includes video)
Dr. Aimee Phillippi-Taylor hosts this video and stresses the value of using fecal egg count reduction tests and recordkeeping to detect resistance in parasite populations. In addition to basic management, she encourages producers to work with their veterinarians to monitor the efficacy of deworming programs and adjust as needed. Source: Drovers CattleNetwork, October 5, … [Read more...]
Oral flea control: DVM vs. OTC
Nancy Kerns with Whole Dog Journal discusses oral flea control in a two-article series. The first describes five oral medications that veterinarians may prescribe to stop or prevent a dog’s flea infestation. The second describes the four oral medications that kill fleas on dogs and are available to owners as over-the-counter (OTC) products – no prescription … [Read more...]
Pinkeye often flares in fall
“Pinkeye, or keratoconjunctivitis, is an infectious disease of cattle that costs producers money in several ways,” says Gerald Stokka, North Dakota State University Extension veterinarian. He and Neil Dyer, an NDSU pathologist, notes that the bacteria Moraxella bovis is one of the primary agents in pinkeye, although Moraxella ovus and Moraxella bovoculi have also been isolated. … [Read more...]
Puppy poop infects 55 with Campylobacter bacteria
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have tracked Campylobacter infections in humans. The agency says infections that were linked to puppies from Petland have been reported between September 2016 and October 2017 in Florida, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Source: HealthDay, October … [Read more...]
You’re gonna’ get the beep
Whether you are in sales, customer service or doing follow-up calls from a veterinary clinic, Steve Keating’s discussion of voice mail preparation is important. Every time you call someone prepare to leave a clear, compelling and concise message. Source: Lead Today, October 1, 2017. Leaving only your name and phone number by the way is NOT a message, it’s just some … [Read more...]
Watch out for anaplasmosis
Cattle producers should be aware that the parasitic disease, anaplasmosis is no longer a Southeastern U.S. malady. The Great Plains and the Midwest have experienced an increased number of cases in the last few years. A.J. Tarpoff, Extension beef veterinarian for Kansas State University offers five tips to manage the disease. Source: Progressive Cattleman, September 21, … [Read more...]
Stop dogs from pulling on their leashes
There are never enough tips to help with common canine behavior problems. Pulling on leashes when using a neck collar can be damaging to the dog. Annie Phenix, CPDT-K, offers some force-free advice to the issues. Source: Dogster, September 21, 2017. I see walking the dog as an excellent way to get your dog (and you) moving, but a dog cares more about “pee-mails” and other … [Read more...]
Fear is worse than pain for animals
Dani McVety, DVM, writes that humans can rationalize pain and the anxiety of negative emotions that accompany the anticipation of it. Animals cannot rationalize, she says. She quotes Temple Grandin, PhD, who says, “The single worst thing you can do to an animal emotionally is to make it feel afraid … fear is so bad for animals I think it’s worse than pain.” Source: … [Read more...]
Opinion – Adjust ROPs and EOQs for the holidays
The rise of e-commerce and the growing instant gratification consumer mentality has exacerbated the need for early and thoughtful peak season preparation. This article is a reminder to adjust inventory on-hand settings and replenishment timelines for critical items in animal health inventories. Halloween will not create much disruption, but it does signals the upcoming holiday … [Read more...]
Feline asthma updates
Feline asthma is a common cause of cough and intermittent respiratory distress in cats that can be challenging to diagnose and treat. However, prognosis is generally good with the appropriate treatment. Feline asthma management can be separated into acute and chronic treatment strategies. Treating with bronchodilators can sometimes cause more harm than good. Source: … [Read more...]