International Women’s Day was celebrated worldwide yesterday. It’s theme, BeBoldForChange, is a reminder of the contributions women make daily to our profession. They’re often the ones leading the charge for change, whether it is research for a breakthrough new vaccine, a simple routine change in a clinic or getting a customer to improve his baby animal care protocols. If you … [Read more...]
All disease begins in the gut
Post-weaning gaps in piglets can easily take seven to 10 days. Some well-managed farms, however, can contain this to one or two days. Knowing what is going on in a piglet’s gastro-intestinal tract is the first step towards gaining control of these problems. Source: Pig Progress, September 23, 2016. The gut is responsible for up to 80% of the immune system. Immunogloblin A … [Read more...]
Technology is a literal pain in the neck
Many of us walk around with our necks jutting further forward than they should be. It is a consequence of being so tied to smartphones, notebooks, driving and working on computers. Bob Fischer, a personal trainer in Philadelphia, shares his five favorite moves for counteracting the effects of "tech neck." Source: Prevention, January 25, 2017. One study published in the … [Read more...]
Organizational alignment counts
Regardless of size, the most effective businesses succeed because their strategies, organizational capabilities, resources and management systems support the enterprise’s purpose. But many businesses struggle to keep the balance needed to excel. Source: Harvard Business Review, February 7, 2017. A tightly managed enterprise value chain that connects an enterprise’s purpose … [Read more...]
Cat-friendly practices tops 1,000
The American Association of Feline Practitioners indicated last year there are 1,050 cat-friendly practices and another 500 in the process of earning the designation. Understanding cat behavior, feline-friendly handling, and reducing stress associated with the visit are core components of the CFP program. The program encompasses the entire well-being of cats, cat caregivers and … [Read more...]
Major issues facing agriculture
Leaders from U.S. trade associations shared their groups’ most pressing priorities for 2017. Their list includes topics that relate to human safety and life quality. Source: AgriMarketing, January/February 2017, page 24-28. There are always a number of important issues to consider ahead of any year, but 2017 seems to have lots of unknowns. More importantly, the questions … [Read more...]
Worst day of my life
We mention the wildfires in Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas elsewhere in this week’s update. Kylene Scott’s firsthand perspective brings bitter reality to that post. Source: High Plains Journal, March 7, 2017. A family friend alerted him to the fire in Clark County very near the Scott farm after we’d returned home from burying my dad yesterday. . . One cow is bawling … [Read more...]
Relief fund started for cattlemen in burn areas
A relief fund has been set up by the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Foundation to help cattleman affected by wildfires in the state. The need will only grow as wildfires continue to burn there and in Colorado, Kansas and Texas. Source: Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, March 7, 2017. Make checks payable to Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Foundation and put “Fire Relief” in the memo line and … [Read more...]
Deal with it!
Most big problems are ones that were ignored in hopes they would go away or magically resolve themselves. Conflict avoidance occurs in many industries. Veterinary medicine is not immune to its impact. Thus, using the FIGHT strategy to deal with issues before they grow is likely helpful. Source: CharlesMarshall.net January 2017. Courage isn’t the absence of fear but the … [Read more...]
Horses understand human facial expressions
New research shows that domestic horses have the ability to read the expression on a person’s face. This capacity has only ever previously been demonstrated in dogs. Source: The Atlantic, February 29, 2017. A University of Sussex research team, led by Amy Smith alongside the veteran animal-behavior scientist Karen McComb, showed a group of 28 horses large photographs of a … [Read more...]
Take quiet walks with dogs
Nicole Wilde recommends being silent when walking with dogs. Taking a break from rambling chatter shows how useful body language cues can be and see how it is much easier for a dog to focus on a verbal cue such as, “Come!” when it’s not floating amid a sea of other words. Source: Modern Dog, February 23, 2017. Dogs observe our body language so much more than we realize. … [Read more...]
Editorial – Seeking truth among alternative facts
I present this as opinion because of political references in the content. The context of discerning the truth is the reason for posting it. Peter Peregrine presents compelling insights on the culmination of a long retreat from the scientific perspective on truth. “Because I said so,” is no longer simply a disciplining statement from a parent to a child it seems. Source: The … [Read more...]
Bedding, bugs and teats
In spite of solid progress to lower somatic cell counts on dairies, many farms continue to struggle with clinical mastitis. In fact, clinical rates of mastitis have nearly doubled over the last two decades, from about 13 cases per 100 cows to 24, says Pam Ruegg. Cow-to-cow mastitis spread is not the core challenge today. Rather, herds must now deal with bacteria that live and … [Read more...]
Coprophagia season coming
As temperatures warm in parts of the U.S. so do the winter deposits of fecal material in yards and parks. For some dogs who are coprophagic, this is akin to an Easter egg hunt for tasty treats. This article offers some insight on the subject. Source: Clinician’s Brief, July 2015. (partial access) Coprophagia, the consuming of fecal matter, is a frequent complaint by dog … [Read more...]
Toxic teams hurt patient care
Ask sales reps about their in-practice or retail store experiences and you’ll likely hear about some pretty tense business settings. The dvm360 toxic team survey reveal that stressful environments not only hurt employees and dissuade animal owner visits, but the environment is harmful to animals as well. Source: Vetted, February 2017. Toxic veterinary teams are a problem, … [Read more...]
Software and gadgets enhance work and play
Technology plays a tremendous role in how animal health pros manage their days at work and home. This article reviews technology advancements that include drone security, video doorbells and key finders. It is followed by good automotive-related news and hacks. Source: Repertoire, February 2017. Pages 50-53. … [Read more...]
Who stays. Who goes?
Michelle Arnold, DVM, discusses considerations for culling cows from the herd. Twenty percent of gross receipts in a typical cow-calf operation come from the sale of cull animals. Paying attention to price seasonality and body condition scores is important before sending them to market. Source: Drovers CattleNetwork, February 23, 2017. Dr. Arnold offers this list of … [Read more...]
Pet food nutrition: protein hype and digestibility
Differentiating one pet food from the next gets harder every day. Nutritionists say regardless of what is in the prepared diet, getting essential nutrients in the ingredients actually absorbed into the body during digestion is most important. Recent studies dug into the issues of protein and digestibility. Source: Petfood Industry, February17, 2017. Two studies on pet food … [Read more...]
There are surprising benefits when keeping hens with horses
Casie Bazay shares her experiences with free-range chickens and horses. She describes a symbiotic existence that reduces flies, feed waste and breaks down manure so that it dries faster. Source: Horse Network, February 21, 2017. In addition to the bug-eating behaviors, Bazay shares these benefits: Chickens will eat the tiniest piece of grain or other feed dropped on … [Read more...]
March issue of JAVMA
There continues to be a lot of attention paid to probiotics. Among the papers in this issue is Use of probiotics in small animal veterinary medicine. Animal health pros will appreciate it as well as with the others presented. Source: JAVMA, March 2017. (abstract access only) … [Read more...]
I love you – the farm/ranch way
“I love you” may not be heard a lot by farm or ranch kids. Jenni Latzke with the High Plains Journal demonstrates why in her latest column. Source: High Plains Journal, February 20, 2017. To be fair, there’s not a lot of time for flowery words and overt display of affection. No one pauses mid-3 a.m. calf-pulling to look over at his spouse and say, "Margaret, you sure look … [Read more...]
Leadership requires physical, mental strength
Effective leadership requires much – vision, strategic thinking, tactical skills and the list goes on. We sometimes overlook the physical and mental requirements to be truly effective. We previously focused on the physical health requirement and would like to move to the mentally strong leader. Source: Vet-Advantage, February 2017. Confidence is often described as being … [Read more...]
Screwworm eradication: An Interactive View
The parasitic New World screwworm has an interesting history in the United States, and the USDA has developed a series of interactive graphics to illustrate past and present eradication efforts. Source: Drovers CattleNetwork, February 15, 2016. The USDA interactive website illustrates the biology of the screwworm fly and uses maps to illustrate past and present eradication … [Read more...]
Understand the value therapeutic diets
The legitimacy of veterinary prescription or therapeutic diets is frequently scrutinized. While ingredients of these veterinary diets may appear similar, considerable testing goes into their formulations to be able to be called a therapeutic or prescription diet. This article covers considerable ground to explain the differences and reasons for veterinary oversight and the … [Read more...]
Weaning stresses impact piglet gut health
At weaning, piglets are faced with a combination of stresses to which they must quickly adapt, including diet, environment, social stress, maternal separation and more. David Saornil and Sylvie Roquefeuil focus on the impact of weaning stress on piglet digestive physiology and function. Source: Watt AgNet, February 9, 2017. (partial access only) As the industry faces … [Read more...]
Management tree helps determine Macrocyclic lactone-resistant heartworm disease resistance
Animal health pros dealing with heartworm or heartworm products will appreciate the management tree for successful resolution to determine if resistance to macrocyclic lactone preventives is a factor in canine heartworm patients. Source: Plumb’s Therapeutics Brief, November 2015. Resistance to macrocyclic lactone preventatives in canine heartworm cases has been proven, … [Read more...]
Involve dog owners to screen for cancer
The “Big C” often strikes fear in humans. When it involves their pets, the results can be devastating. Rodney Page, DVM, says owners must take responsibility for prevention of cancer. Annual physical exams, screening bloodwork and urinalysis are recommended for dogs more than seven years of age or from breeds prone to develop cancer. Source: Modern Dog, February 16, … [Read more...]
Feline gastritis common, needs treating
Gastritis is so prevalent in cats that the disorder ranks as the number 2 reason people seek veterinary care for their cats. Mary Labato, DVM at Tufts University, says a few bites of spoiled food or a mild infection can cause stomach distress for our finicky feline friends. Source: Tufts Catnip, February 20, 2017. There are two types of gastritis: acute and chronic. Acute … [Read more...]
Latinos have changed our game
Latinos are key players when it comes to food product purchasing power, including dairy products. They also play strong roles when it comes to pet store spending. They’re willing to spend for food. Data from the HIS Global Insight Groups reveals Hispanics spent $103 billion on food at home. This is expected to grow 35 percent over the next five years, compared to 20 percent … [Read more...]
Measure what matters to your clients
Ed Blach, DVM, hits the nail on the head with this short post. He reminds veterinary teams that a small number of measures can have a dramatic impact on how your team serves your clients. Measure what matters to clients and you will deliver exemplary service. Source: Is My Practice Healthy?, February 19, 2017. Measure what matters to your clients. Measure: how long it … [Read more...]