When cats are presented with urination issues, open-ended, follow-up questions by the veterinary nurse helps the veterinarian make a definitive diagnosis. writes Paula Plummer LVT, VTS (ECC, SAIM). She reminds veterinary nurses why being knowledgeable about pathophysiology is important to the conversations with clients about their pets. Plummer shares useful information when … [Read more...]
Rethink what a sore cat looks like (podcast)
Reviewing her recent article, Wanda J. Gordon-Evans, DVM, PhD, DACVS, DACVSMR, explains why evaluating for musculoskeletal pain in cats is different and challenging, but so important. She shares great basic examination tips, some nuances about history taking, and encourages us all to rethink what a sore cat looks like. Source: Clinician’s Brief. Link. 32 minutes. Also … [Read more...]
Chatfields chat about itchy pets
Complimentary Sponsored Content We’re reposting this episode. Highly viewed in early December 2021, it is timely as winter days lengthen ahead of spring. Dr. Jen the Vet and Dr. Jason Chatfield are joined in the Chat Room by Millie Rosales, DVM, DACVD, to discuss common reasons pets itch. Skin issues are always in the top 10 reasons pet owners seek veterinary care. Note … [Read more...]
Tips for pet parents with full-time jobs
Published pre-pandemic, this article indicates the issues of work, life and pet balance have always been with us. Various media have covered the challenges of returning to work and leaving a pet behind as we transitioned through the challenges of 2020 and 2021. Alex Haslam shared sound tips to help owners and pets make smooth transitions to new schedules. Taking care of a … [Read more...]
3 traits of emotionally mature adults
Unlike physical maturity, which happens more or less automatically, emotional maturity is largely learned, practiced and reinforced, writes Nick Wignall, PhD. Many of us were not taught the skills and habits that foster emotional maturity or perhaps we learned the basics, but not much more. It shouldn’t be surprising that most of us have somewhat underdeveloped levels of … [Read more...]
Catching up or just back to normal?
Opinion The recent Vetwatch™ Commentary provides consistent data to help assess the scope, velocity and significance of developments in the veterinary care sector across the United States. Following more current trends, the national 3-week rolling average for practice revenue growth fell to -9.1 percent. None of the nine census divisions posted positive revenue growth for … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – January 27, 2022
Last week’s most read post 5 scary consequences of neglecting pets’ oral care. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, Jan 20, 2022. Link. =========================== Old or elderly? What’s the difference? Source: For Seniors Magazine, March 20, 2021. Link. The terms “old” and “elderly” are often used interchangeably, but … [Read more...]
Wild pigs, a ticking time bomb on U.S. pork industry
Feral hogs pose a serious threat to the health of the U.S. pork industry specifically if African swine fever were to infect and spread in wild herds. There is no vaccine nor cure and the disease has a long track record of crossing international borders and wiping out billions of pigs. Source: PORK, June 29, 2021. Link. Wild pigs have exploded in numbers across the U.S., … [Read more...]
A pig’s role in human health
Xenotransplantation is the term for transplanting living cells, tissues or organs from one species to another, and the practice was first tried in the 1980s. Early in January 2022, as a last-ditch effort to save David Bennett’s life, doctors at the University of Maryland Medical Center transplanted a pig’s heart into him. Bennett, a 57-year-old man, was not eligible for a … [Read more...]
All about calves
Complimentary Commercial Content In our review of this January’s Bovine Veterinarian, Rhonda Brooks shares calf content was 60 percent of the top-read content. This parallels our experiences with AHD content. For the first time, we’re not cherry picking specific articles but providing the link to the full online issue. We continue to see new developments of optimizing … [Read more...]
It’s time to cull “cull cows” from our vocabulary
Cull cow weight and cull cow price have long been top factors in herd profitability. Making the decision to remove a cow from the herd is not always an easy one. Determining when the cow leaves and how is equally important. Contrary to what many believe, dairy cattle contribute much more to the beef industry than just ground beef. Changing the vocabulary from cull cow to … [Read more...]
Guinea pig might be coming to a high-end restaurant near you
While the concept might make us cringe, there are parts of the world where guinea pigs are seen as something to be farmed instead of an adorable furry house pet. Cuy (guinea pig) is popular in South America and is described to taste more like a game hen, with dark and stringy flesh. Considerations beyond edible pet concerns include factory farming-like development and carbon … [Read more...]
APHIS reports more wild birds with avian flu
Following our January 18 post <Link>, APHIS confirmed two additional cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild migratory birds in the coastal Southeast. High path bird flu can spread rapidly and wipe out a flock so poultry raisers are urged to review and enhance their safeguards against the viral disease. Source: Successful Farming, January 19, 2022. … [Read more...]
What cats want from furniture
There are countless pieces of cat furniture on the market today with all kinds of features and in every decorating style to create an enriching, stress-free environment for our cats. There are a few key considerations. We captured these three: Safety should be a priority Allow for climbing, hiding, lounging, scratching, and playing while being space conscious … [Read more...]
Diagnosing adverse food reactions in canine and feline patients
Adverse food reactions in dogs and cats can be frustrating for pet owners and veterinarians, shares Kate Boatright, VMD. Recognizing common clinical signs and starting diet trials with a novel protein or hydrolyzed diet are important to obtaining an accurate diagnosis. Boatwright says recent evidence suggests low-dose prednisolone use at the beginning of the diet trial may … [Read more...]
Top 10 medium-sized dogs
Medium-sized dogs are desirable right-sized dogs fitting between tiny and large or giant dogs. Small dog breeds weigh up to around 20 pounds, while large dog breeds begin at about 60 pounds. Medium-sized dogs have been identified as popular candidates for people wanting a sturdy companion, including these first three of 10 on the list: Australian Shepard Bassett … [Read more...]
Bullvine’s Top 10 editors’ choice articles of 2021
The battle of sires, genetics and clones is complemented by a review of dairy consolidation. Of particular interest was article number 10, How milk producers can breed problem free dairy cows. No doubt dairy veterinary teams and company representatives will be hearing about some of these forward-looking concepts. Source: The Bullvine, January 21, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Educating pet owners on correcting nuisance behaviors (video)
It’s not rocket science, but redirecting pets is not a normal reaction. Chris Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC, advocates pet owners redirect problem behaviors in their companion animals rather than responding with punishment. Have we provided the pet an appropriate outlet for nuisance behaviors? What do we want the animal to do?” - Chris Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC Source: DVM 360, … [Read more...]
No-cost coaching
Coaching is a valuable way to create clarity and deal with the uncertainty of an increasingly nuanced world of work. Source: Harvard Business Review, January 13, 2022. Link. Asking yourself insightful coaching questions will unlock your thinking and support you to identify actions that will help you make positive progress.” INSIGHT: The greatest coaching questions are … [Read more...]
IPBSA Fast Bites – January 24, 2022
Pet care commerce gaining importance, hamsters emerge as pets of choice, small business tax options, China hotel built with dogs in mind and more . . . Source: IPBSA Fast Bites, January 24, 2022. Link. INSIGHTS: IBPSA offers business resources, staff education, and legislative support. IBPSA Members include the owners and employees of pet boarding and daycare facilities, … [Read more...]
Turn away from the screen and tech habits to start for a happier 2022
Realizing she needed to make changes that reoriented her brain from distraction-based impulses and toward periods of deep, sustained focus, Rebecca Ruiz shares her story and five tech habits to help us feel more in control and energized. Spend chunks of the day, even three-minute bursts, without your phone or device. To truly reorient the brain toward quiet and stillness, you … [Read more...]
Gonadectomy resources for veterinarians
Elective and often controversial, pet sterilization is an important part of pet owner decision making. As the risks and benefits of gonadectomy are re-examined, a renewed conversation about if and when to sterilize a pet is emerging. The AVMA stays on top of this topic and provides resources for veterinarians and pet owners as spay and neuter decisions are considered. As we … [Read more...]
Banks say consumers are in good shape. Cost of care opportunities?
Opinion, with Sponsored Content Believe it or not, top bankers say consumer spending is rebounding as we move past pandemic fears. Regardless of the bankers’ positions, veterinary teams and animal health businesses remain historically cautious when dealing with animal owners. Often criticized for prejudging pocketbooks, veterinary teams especially have opportunities every … [Read more...]
Latest well-being study reveals increased distress among veterinary professionals
It is no surprise the pandemic impacted many veterinarians and clinic staff, including veterinary technicians, veterinary assistants, practice managers and client service representatives. More than 90 percent of study respondents reported the shortage of qualified veterinary staff has been one of the biggest concerns throughout the pandemic. Sixty eight percent indicated … [Read more...]
Mark Cuban’s new online pharmacy. Will one for critters be next?
Opinion The online pharmacy business has a new option presented as a vertical channel strategy to eliminate the middleman. Cuban’s company launched the online pharmacy, Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug. Focusing on transparency, the pharmacy's prices reflect actual manufacturer prices, plus a 15 percent margin and a $3.00 pharmacist fee. Source: United Press International, … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – January 20, 2022
Last week’s most read post Lyme-carrying ticks live longer. What? Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, Jan 13, 2022. Link. =========================== The world’s largest wildlife crossing could have a spring groundbreaking Source: LAist, January 13, 2022. Link. The Liberty Wildlife Crossing has been impressive since its … [Read more...]
Defining when to help during calving’s three stages
Understanding the stages of birthing is critical to identify when or if we need to provide help during calving season. Producers and veterinary teams alike want to increase the likelihood a calf is born alive and off to a good start, writes Mark Z. Johnson, Oklahoma State University Extension. With calving season just around the corner and labor challenges across the … [Read more...]
Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions for cow-calf producers
Michelle Arnold, DVM, covers 10 ways cow-calf producers can improve herd health and prevent as many problems as possible. Among them are quit believing Dr. Google and: Better records Improved water quality Test hay for quality before supplementing Involve a veterinarian and examine the herd vaccination program Improve biosecurity Source: BEEF, January 12, … [Read more...]
Foal Patrol season 5. Watch live foaling cams.
Foal Patrol is a one-of-a-kind collection of live cameras following the daily activities of in-foal mares produced by the National Museum of Racing. Millions of people throughout the world have viewed the popular webcam program since its inaugural season in 2018. Source: EQUUS, January 5, 2022. Link. Season 5 will feature a new education site at www.foalpatrol.com/education to … [Read more...]
Pets can be an important part of your business plan
More than 70 percent of U.S. households include a pet and 88 percent of them think of it as part of the family. Plus, according to an ASPCA survey, 23 million American households added a new pet since the beginning of the pandemic. Modern pet parents want housing, workplaces, products and experiences to recognize and integrate their animals. Put another way — if your … [Read more...]