October 14 – 20 is National Veterinary Technician week. Since 1993, the third week in October has been designated to acknowledge veterinary technicians. They are critical to the day-to-day function of veterinary practices and play vital roles in preserving animal health and welfare. This special week provides opportunity to recognize veterinary technicians’ … [Read more...]
Don’t wash farm-fresh eggs
While Salmonella infections are rare from any egg, Ana Hotaling sought expert advice about the safety of farm-fresh eggs compared to supermarket eggs with regard to Salmonella. That advice is summarized in these safety practices for those who raise their own chickens: Keep your coop clean Collect eggs frequently Do not wash your eggs Throw away cracked … [Read more...]
Nigerian dwarf goats now approved as livestock dairy goat
4-H and FFA participants can now use Nigerian dwarf goats in livestock projects. The breed is experiencing a rise in popularity due to its small size and colorful markings. The goats have gentle personalities which makes them good pets, plus they are easy to handle and take little space. Source: Countryside Daily, October 1, 2018. Link. Most owners do not raise their goats … [Read more...]
Help customers handle bulls safely
Bulls represent only two percent of the cattle population, yet they are responsible for more than half of farmworker fatalities and are considered the most dangerous of all domestic animals. Source: North Carolina Cooperative Extension, 2018: Link. Recognizing aggressive bull behavior and always being aware of their presence are important factors that can help keep farm … [Read more...]
Foot rot or something else?
Mike Apley, DVM, discusses the importance of accurate case definitions, antibiotic stewardship and the differences between foot rot and hairy heal warts. His article is a good resource to include with fall VFD compliance visits. Control and therapeutic approaches to foot rot and hairy heel wart in beef cattle can be quite different. Planning to recognize the difference between … [Read more...]
Gait, lying down behavior and other factors influence dairy cattle lameness
It’s more than showing up with a limp. Lameness in dairy cattle costs productivity and economic losses. It affects other animal welfare factors including body condition, hock condition, and leg hygiene. Lameness may also influence resting and lying down behaviors as they seek comfort. Source: National Institutes of Health, November 2017. Link Gait changes and other behaviors … [Read more...]
Colostrum feeding practices have room for improvement
A Michigan State Extension research project in 2016 set out to measure the prevalence of passive transfer failure in heifer and bull calves on Michigan dairy farms. While producers seemed confident in how to manage and deliver colostrum, the results indicate there is still a lot of improvement to be realized from managing colostrum. Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, September 26, … [Read more...]
3 advantages of veterinarian-administered equine vaccinations
Writing for the AQHA, Jacquelin Boggs, DVM, with Zoetis asserts three benefits horses get when a veterinarian administers vaccines: Proper Vaccine Handling Safe, Accurate Administration Tailored Vaccination Program Source: AQHA, September 13, 2018. Link. Every horse is unique. Your veterinarian can work with you to customize a vaccine program based on your … [Read more...]
8 tips to determine trustworthy cat nutrition sites
The team at Catnip delivers common sense about feline nutrition websites and feline sites. They suggest eight questions to use to determine if a site is reputable and its information legitimate. They have also generated a list of the best of the best websites for nutrition information. <link> Source: Catnip, October 2018. Link. If the evidence on a site is presented … [Read more...]
Natural cat litters are gaining popularity
Among product segments that retailers dominate, the $3 billion litter category is projected to grow theee percent over the next five years. Clay litter sales remain strong, but new litters made from corn, grasses, coconut, hemp and even lavender are making their way into a growing natural, ecofriendly list of litter options. . . . consumers are leaning toward a natural litter, … [Read more...]
Talking about dogs and dreams
Like humans, dogs dream. Dog dreams likely summarize the day’s events and allow dogs the opportunity to process what they learn. I don’t think anyone can say for sure what dogs dream about but we can be fairly certain that they do dream,” says Dr. Jennifer Coates, DVM. Source: Dogster, September 18, 2018. Link. What we’ve basically found is that dogs dream doggy things,” … [Read more...]
Opinion – Your smartphone obsession may make your dog sad
I recently noticed a change in our Morkie’s behavior when I turn to my cell phone to monitor emails, texts or see what’s going on with LinkedIn or Twitter. Once I do, the dog allows about 30 to 45 minutes before deciding if it’s time to play, pet or seek attention. I’m not alone. Cheyenne Macdonald reviews growing amounts information that dogs are especially hurt by owners’ … [Read more...]
The latest from AAHA NEWStat
AAHA NEWStat, AAHA Red and the longstanding magazine, Trends make up a worthwhile communication complement for AAHA members and industry pros. Past issues of Trends are now available to subscribers in a digital archive. Link. Published monthly, Trends offers straightforward, real-world strategies, best business management practices, protocols, tips and techniques. It also … [Read more...]
These veterinary service trends can help your practice remain competitive
Lidia Staron shares an overview of this year’s top trends for practice owners to consider in order to stay competitive. She indicates that veterinarians on the whole have been slow to adopt many of the newer technologies and services. Source: Veterinarian’s Money Digest, July 28, 2018. Link. Staron identifies the following trends: Wearable tech that monitors pet … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – Winter pinkeye infections increasing
Times have changed. Pinkeye outbreaks are now seen year-round due to the increased incidence of Moraxella bovoculi. Some have nicknamed this “winter pinkeye,” says Karlin Yaeger, global sales manager for Addison Biological Laboratory. He shared Addison’s 20-plus years of diagnostic lab experiences which reinforce Moraxella bovis as the primary cause of pinkeye. However, other … [Read more...]
VHMA says to dance with clients. PIMS data creates 8 helpful reports.
The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VMHA) addresses non-verbal cues in client communication. When preparing to approach a client to discuss preventive pet healthcare, prior to uttering a single word, think like a dancer. Source: Champions Corner, VHMA, September 17, 2018. Link. Familiarize yourself with these nonverbal behaviors and their impact on the client: … [Read more...]
Veterinary management service agreements can be torture
The legalization of veterinary management agreements operated by veterinary management organizations allows non-veterinarians a way to sidestep laws prohibiting lay ownership of professional practices, writes Christopher J. Allen, DVM, JD. The MSA/MSO structure has been widely adopted as acceptable and legal. . . but is anybody checking to see whether the required separation … [Read more...]
Grackles can expose humans, pets to parasites
Grackles and starlings often congregate before migrating in the fall. In addition to being noisy and leaving fecal material everything imaginable, they sometimes carry diseases that can be transmitted via their feces to animals and people. A recent Texas A&M University study reveals bacterial and parasite risks to humans and pets. Pets should avoid any area where grackles … [Read more...]
USDA outlines next steps for advancing animal disease traceability
USDA undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs Greg Ibach announced the agency's four goals for advancing disease traceability to protect the long-term health, marketability and economic viability of the U.S. livestock industry. The goals are part of the animal disease traceability program (ADT). Advance the electronic sharing of data among federal and state … [Read more...]
7 things Tiger Woods can teach us
Whether you’re a golf fan or not, you’re likely aware of Tiger Woods’ comeback during the Tour Championship late last month. He took the game to new heights for a decade and hit a rough streak that brought him down. But, he got up and beat it. Golf blogger David MacKenzie shares seven reasons Tiger – and us – can make a comeback if we go down. Source: Golf State of Mind … [Read more...]
Understanding customers and decision makers
Two posts featuring Pat Malone, AHD’s weekly contributor, were opened at exceptionally high rates. Malone's focus on leading a customer to decide is evident in his writing and in his daily interactions with colleagues, customers, seminar participants and friends. These posts and the associated articles are relevant in today's business environment. Source: Understanding the … [Read more...]
Employees; our industry’s most discussed topic
Jared Wareham writes from his experiences with livestock management, yet, his take-home points are applicable industry-wide across animal health. Managing people will always require more effort and personal skill development than any of us want to devote; yet, it is absolutely necessary. Source: Drovers, August 14, 2018. Link. The risk of losing a great employee that you … [Read more...]
Ensure SKUs reflect modern methods for wound treatments
September and October are good months to review standard SKUs that are often treated like staples in clinic inventories. With advancements in materials, new products and the expanding role of the veterinary nurse, make sure current SKU choices reflect the overall direction of the veterinary team. Pam Foster discusses veterinary wound management with distributor reps in mind in … [Read more...]
Beyond Facebook; secondary social media platforms for veterinary marketing
Beyond Indigo looks more closely at three social media platforms and how to best use them to reach your intended audience with the content they crave in this sponsored content: Instagram Twitter Google Business Source: Beyond Indigo, February 20, 2018. Link. While the bulk of your social media efforts should still be squarely focused on Facebook – especially when … [Read more...]
Stop saying um, ah and you know
Filler words quickly become crutch words that we habitually use. They “ah” diminish our credibility and “um” distract from “you know” our message. Animal health pros routinely interact with animal owners and other animal health pros. Noah Zandan shares how to replace the crutch words with pauses. Source: Ascend, September 2018. Link. Used sparingly and effectively, filler … [Read more...]
Happy cows make more milk on their own schedules
Most U.S. dairy operators milk cows twice or three times a day. But, what if the cows were left to decide when they wanted to be milked? Aòasteinn Hallgrímsson and his brother Gardar run a dairy outside of Akureyri, Iceland. They found out what happens. Source: Quartz, September 24, 2018. Link. In 2007, the Hallgrímsons rebuilt their barn from the ground up, spending kr 160 … [Read more...]
Selective dry-cow therapy called the way forward
Mastitis management is responsible for up to 85 percent of the antimicrobials used in the dairy sector. Implementing selective dry-cow therapy is the way forward, say the authors of recent analyses. The mindset of farmers and veterinarians and their attitude towards reduction of antimicrobial use is crucial for successful implementation of selective therapy at dry-off. The … [Read more...]
Weaning is good time to score cows’ body conditions
Robin Salverson, SDSU Extension cow/calf field specialist, shares information about body condition scores (BCS), market timing and factors that affect BCS throughout the year. Source: Drovers, September 19, 2018. Link. Age, lactation, feed quality and availability, and parasite load are all factors that influences BCS. . . Regardless if cows are thin due to drought, age, or … [Read more...]
Weaning, a ‘house of horrors’ for young calves
With a Halloween mindset, Blaine Corners compares weaning a calf to sending a small child into a house of horrors alone. . . . weaned calves face frightening new surroundings. This can include unfamiliar feed, new water sources, exposure to different cattle and harmful pathogens, and increased stress. Source: Progressive Cattleman, September 11, 2018. Link. Producers can … [Read more...]
So, a Jewish dietician walks into a pig farm. . .
Leia Flure writes about her experience of learning about swine production. She had no knowledge about raising pigs and had questions of her own. They included: What’s a “factory farm” really like? How are the animals treated? How sustainable is animal agriculture? And, of course, are piglets as cute in person as they are in the movies? (note the anthropomorphic … [Read more...]